VP-5 Squadron Shipmates
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ShipmateVP-103 ShipmatesShipmate

ALSOP, ARM1 James R. vet2vet@alltel.net "...I served with VB-130 FAW-5 (PV-1), VB-103 FAW-7 (PB4Y-1), and Naval Air Transport Services (NATS) in those belly splashing Coronado (PB2Y-5) seaplanes..." Website: Kilroy's Closet [E-Mail Updated 26JUN2003 | 16JAN2003]


Memorial Picture "...BAILEY, AO2 Bob Sr...Dad served with VPB-103 during WWII from NAF Dunkeswell, Devonshire, England...I just received two of Dad's Awards that my sister found. FIRST AWARD: "Fleet Air Wing Seven Liberator Air Group Commendation - Know ye all men by these presents that Robert H. Bailey did successfully complete 52 missions on anti-submarine patrol in the European theater of operations. Serving with credit as ordnanceman in number 17 crew of patrol bombing squadron one hundred three." SECOND AWARD: Second Air Medal for flying as a crew member of a PB4Y-1 on anti-sub patrol in the Bay of Biscay and the English Channel north of 40 degrees north latitude during the period of may 1944 to feb. 1945. U-boat campaign in the battle of the Atlantic."..." Contributed by BAILEY, AO3 Bob flynavy10@comcast.net [BIO Updated 08JUL2017 | BIO Updated 06JAN2008 | BIO Updated 20SEP2007 | E-Mail Updated 05DEC2005 | 15DEC1997]

Memorial Picture "...BANISTER, Winston...I am a pharmacist from Mangum, Oklahoma and my grandfather, Winston Banister, served with VPB-103 in WWII. He died before I was born and I would like to know if there is any one who may have served with him out there. Any information would be very much appreciated..." Contributed by Bradley Banister barbital69@yahoo.com [30JUL2010]

BELL, Howard "Buck" c/o His Brother Les Bell Les@LesBell.Net "...My Brother Howard "Buck" Bell was in WW-2 on a B-24--squadrons VB-113 and VB-103. He flew on these planes--PB4Y BUNO: 32169, 32188, 32211, 32212, 72914, and 13908 (B-1, B-3, B-4, B-5, B-6, B-8, B-9, B-10, B-11, B-12, and B-15) and PBY BUNO: 32184. I hope this isn't confusing but this is right out of his flight manual along with some descriptions and times. I have a few pictures of the "WHITE" B-24 he flew most missions on--he mentions "Shoo Shoo Baby" as a name. I have his patch with bugs bunny on a bomb--he helped design that patch--he told me he used bugs bunny because he was my favorite cartoon character--I was 5 years old when he joined up..." [28AUG2002]

BODKER, Harold c/o His Son Alan Bodker daddyo41653@aol.com "...My dad Harold Bodker flew in the PB4Y as tail gunner from 1943-1946 in VPB-103. Most of the time from the UK. Pilot was Lt. Anderson. My dad is interested in finding fellow crew members to speak with. He is looking for John E. Roche if anybody remembers..." [03MAR2000]


CARACAPPA, Joseph POPPAJOE78@aol.com "...I was a Tailgunner on Crew 7 FAW-7 VP-103 in Dunkeswell, England from December 1943 to October 1944. I flew with CDR Brwer, and McIvery. During my 39 missions, some of the crew members were Brunetti, Caliando, Miller, Schwenke, Gibson, Whitager, and ENS Redmond. I'm trying to locate Jim Caliando. I am formerly from Staten Island, New York. I have been in touch with Gene McIntyre for the past 3 or 4 years - Great Guy..." [02DEC2000]

UPDATE "...I FINALLY FOUND MY BUDDY JIM CALIANDO, HIS SON JAMES, FOUND ME LOOKING FOR HIS DAD ON THE INTERNET, AND PUT ME IN TOUCH WITH HIS DAD. CALLED JIM AND SPOKE TO HIM AGAIN AFTER 56 YEARS. HIS SON TOLD ME HIS DAD IS ALIVE AND WELL AND LOOKING TO HEAR FROM ME. WE HAD FLOWN OVER 38 MISSIONS TOGETHER, WILL STAY IN TOUCH WITH JIM, WE WERE IN FAW-7 VP-103 AT NAF Dunkeswell, Devonshire, England LATE 43 TO OCT. 44...Joseph A. Caracappa poppajoe78@aol.com..." [08MAY2001]

CARROLL, Frank jgibbons@innet.com "...I served with VP-103 in Dunkeswell, Devon England from 1944-1945. Looking for C. V. Carlton and Paul Harris or anyone who served under Commander James Tinny. Ssome plane names--Perils of Pauline, Fearless Fosdick, Miss Randy, Sea Hag, Shoe Shoe Baby, and Little Susan..." [20APR98]


GOURLEY, Dale A. "...I was stationed at NTS Farragut ID, VFOTU#5, HEDRON FAW7, HEDRON 8, VFOTU #4, HEDRON #5, VB-103. I would love to hear from anyone who might know the whereabouts of Bob Ackerman (Gentleman from Texas, was stationed with around '42, 43). I can be reached directly by mail at: Dale A. Gourley (253) 875-9150. Thanks, and looking forward to hearing from you!..." [19FEB98]
UPDATE "...DALE A GOURLEY I CANNOT FIND NATIONALLY NOR IS THE PHONE # VALID..." Contributed by GENE S. McINTYRE GMACK1917@aol.com [11JUL98]


JARDINE, Don C Vjard@aol.com "...I was in VB-103, 1943 1945. Would like to contact any one in crews A1 or B6. THE latter refers the plane numbers. Dunkeswell airbase near Honiton England. I am looking for members of my crew. Lt. Carles Willis Pilot. I will send more names later when I can compile them..."


KEENEY, ARM3 Joseph Stimmel Shipmate PixCirca 1944 Shipmate PixCirca 1942 c/o His Daughter Jacque Morehead jkmrhd@aol.com "...Joseph Stimmel Keeney, from Walkersville, MD entered service at NRS Baltimore, MD on 60JUN42; NTS, NOB Norfolk, Virginia; Armed Guard Det. Sect. Base, Little Creek, VA; RS So Brooklyn N.Y.; TRANSTRAINRONLANT NAS Norfolk, Virginia; ARTU RSM So Annex, NOB Norfolk, Virginia; Scouting Sqdrn 63 Hdqrts Sqdrn 92 NAS Hutchinson, Kansas. He was in the first PB4Y Line Maintenance (PATSU7-1) school graduation class at NATTC NAS Hutchinson, Kansas that graduated on May 27, 1944. His rank was ARM3. He was PATSU7-1 Hedron, FAW-7 in NAF Dunkeswell, Devonshire, England 1944-45. After England he was traiing in NAS Corpus Christi, Texas in prepration to go to Japan. Then the war ended. He was discharged 10-9-45. He was also a survivor of the explosion at NAS Norfolk, Virginia in 1943. I am looking for his school mates from NAS Hutchinson, Kansas (who also served with him in England): Johnny A. Johnson, Tommy Joe (W.T.) Meador, Irvin "Sneezie" Berlinski, P. D. Keefe, Jack Szollosi, J. G. Beveridge, and anyone who remembers him. After the war Dad worked as a radar technician, then as a supervisor for FAA in Norfolk and Leesburg Center, Virginia. He passed away from Altzheimers January 1996. I would love to hear form anyone who served in these scenarios of WWII. I am putting together a book of his experiences. Thanks!..." [22JUN2001]


LITTLE, Ross A. rossalittle@sbcglobal.net "...I served in the Navy during WWII as an Aviation Machinest Mate in a PBY Training Squadron in NAS North Island, San Diego, California, then a PB4Y-2 VB-103 squadron in NAS North Island, San Diego, California, to NAS Argentia, Newfoundland, Canada, To S. Wails to PBY Squadron, to S. England back to VB-103. Returned to the states November 1944 to NAS Jacksonville, Florida A&R Shop. Released from duty in 1945. Stayed in the Reserves with P2V flying out of NAS Oakland, California and NAS Alameda, California..." [31MAY2005]


MARRIOTT, Charles wn5c@aol.com "...I was PPC of Crew #3 in VPB-103 in Dunkeswell, Devon. from March 1944 to April 1995. Just found this site and realize I'm too late for VBP-103 reunion. Would like to hear from members of crew or other members of VPB-103..."

Memorial Picture "...McFAUL, Mairl...My Dad, Mairl McFaul, was a pilot with VP-103 at NAF Dunkeswell, Devonshire, England. Dad logged 14 hours on D-day. I would love to talk with any of his fellow Shipmates that may have known my Dad. Anyone know Ralph Foulks his friend and fellow pilot? Contributed by Robert McFaul pilot1730@yahoo.com..." [04JAN2008]

McINTYRE, GENE S. GMACK1917@aol.com "...I WAS PART OF FLEET AIR WING-7 SQUADRON VB-103 STATIONED FIRST IN ARGENTIA, NFLD. THEN NAF Dunkeswell, Devonshire, England. WOULD LIKE TO HEAR FROM ANY ONE CONNECTED. Reunion SEPT 24 THROUGH 27 IN SAN ANTONIO. COME ONE COME ALL..." [E-Mail Updated 20NOV99 | 10JUL98]

MILLER, Edward O. c/o His Daughter Allison Bown rayosemite@hotmail.com "...I would be interested in hearing from anyone who might remember my father, Edward O. Miller who served with VB-103 out of southern England from 1943 to May 1944. He flew 31 missions as a tail gunner of a B-24 Liberator. He was young when he enlisted, just 17. He is enjoying retirment and would love to hear about old squadron mates. Names of some VPB-103 mates: Pilot: Teague, Bombardier: McIntyre. Also served with VPB-107 from June 1944 to 1945: Captain: John Nagle - Pilot: Water (was a mortician in civilian life), Bombardier: Dean, Asst. Captain: Nesbitt and also a crewman..." [BIO Updated 28MAY2004 | 27MAY2004]


SALSBURY, LCDR Paul Cory Call2paul@aol.com "...Seeking info re LT. E.M.S. Brenegan; LT Jerry McDaniels; ENS. Gene Redmond. Any other VPB-103 personnel who wish to be added to the VPB-103 Dunkeswell duty roster can e-mail me or GMACK1917@aol.com..." [17DEC98]

SOTO, Frank c/o His Son Frank Soto, Jr. faslcs@cs.com "...I am trying to locate anyone who knew my father at Dunkeswell. He is interested in contacting old friends. His name is Frank Soto. He was a Yeoman 1st Class and worked in the VPB-103 unit office. He is from Los Angeles and was assigned to VPB-103 from 1943 in Kearney Mesa to 1945 at Dunkeswell..." [31DEC99]


TURNER, S1C William J. billandflo@aol.com "...I served with VPB-103 as a tail turret gunner and my pilot was LT(jg) Audra Bozarth. I participated in 33 missions from mid-1944 to March 1945 when I returned to U.S. for V-5 Pilot Training. Got credit from British Admiralty for sinking HALF a sub in early Feb 1945 (too dark to photograph sub's wreckage). First "Zombie" got hung up in starboard bomb bay...second torpedo got sub. Hairy Hail Mary landing at nearest RAF base. Now living in Melbourne, Florida. I am 90-plus and still playing passable golf. Any NAF Dunkeswell, Devonshire, England (or NAS Chincoteague, Virginia) Reunions on the horizon?..." [BIO Updated 03APR2013 | 15JUN2011]


VanHOOK, Lyle (Van) vanhookl@hsnp.com "...I was a Plane Captain on Crew #9 in VB-112 from date of Commissioning until until March of 1944. At that time our crew (pilot Lt. Richard Trum) were transferred to Dunksell, County Devon, England and became Crew #11 in VB-103. Would like to hear from anyof those crews or others of those squadrons..." [16APR99]

VARIAN, James H. bobsauer@nc5.infi.net "...Served in VB-103 from commissioning in 1943 at Kearney Mesa, San Diego, CA. Flew with Lt. Muckenthaller in Crew 5 until March 1944. Also flew with Lt. J. G. Corning and crew until March 1944. Completed 34 missions. Flew as a bombardier. Retired USS CPO in 1960. Would love to hear from any Shipmates..." [26AUG98]


WATERHOUSE, Harry harryh2o@juno.com "...I served with FAW-7 from April, 1943 to September, 1946 at NAF Dunkeswell, Devonshire, England. I went over as an Aviation Radio Technician striker but had several months as a mess cook before I wound up in the PATSU 7-A Radio/Radar Shop in VPB-103 in February 1945. I came home on the Queen Mary's first voyage after V-E Day. My Navy career ended with hospitalization at Chelsea, MA and Sampson, NY before my medical discharge to Rutland Heights, MA, VA hospital September 30, 1946. I was able to attend the Annapolis FAW-7 Reunion in 1999 and kept in contact through Gene Mack's newsletter until it was discontinued..." [26JUL2009]

Memorial Picture "...WILLIAMS, AOM1 Quentin A. "Red"...My Grandpa, Quentin A. "Red" Williams, passed away in 1994. Grandpa served with VPB-103. I'm interested in finding out more information about Grandpa's service..." Contributed by Joseph Northwood northwd@centurytel.net [10MAR2012]

WILSON, AD2 Matthew mwilson1942@optonline.net "...I joined October 8, 1942 and ended up at FAW-9 NAS Quonset Point, Rhode Island. I made AMM3 there. March 30, 1944 I went to B24 Maintenances School at NAS Hutchinson, Kansas then to NAF Dunkeswell, Devonshire, England in HEDRON (PATSU 7-A) FAW-7 VPB-103. Came home on the Queen Mary with 30,000+. The Lady in the Harbor was a welcome sight. I then served with CASU-23 NAS Atlantic City, New Jersey and NAAS Woodbine New Jersey. After V.J. Day I was off to CASU-28 Charlestown R.I. assigned to USS Philippine Sea (CV-47) VF-9A two 2 month cruise then 5 month in the Med. Discharged October 7, 1948 as AD2. I would like to hear from Shipmates who remembers me..." [E-Mail Updated 01APR2003 | E-Mail/BIO Updated 12MAY2002 | 15NOV2001]


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