A BIT OF HISTORY: "...Here is a photo of me at the NAS Sangley Point, Philippines BEQ in 1968..." Contributed by Ronald Martin r.g.martin@postoffice.worldnet.att.net

A BIT OF HISTORY: "...1968-69 WestPac Cruise Book...." [16JUL2001]

Patrol Squadron FORTY-SEVEN, as it is known today, come into existence with .the commissioning of VPB-27 at NAAS Harvey Point, North Carolina, on the first of June 1944. Although commissioned in the Atlantic Fleet, all operations of the squadron have been as part of the Pacific Fleet, with over ten of the years ,being spent outside the continental limits of the United States.

After training, VPB-27's initial deployment was in PBM type aircraft to the Hawiian Islands. During World War II VPB-27 saw limited action, participating only in the Okinawa Campaign. After the war, however, the squadron remained in the western Pacific flying courier missions. In Februa- ry of 1946, VPB-27 was recalled to Hawaii and based at w'hat is now the MCAS/NAS Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii. A year and a half later, in September 1948, the squadron received its present designation as VP-47.

After moving to San Diego in March 1949, the squadron operated on the West Coast and in Alaska and Mexico. Expecting a six month deployment, the squadron departed in January 1950 for operations from Saipan, NS Sangley Point, Philippines, and Oppama, Japan. The outbreak of the Korean conflict held the squadron in Japan for an additional seven months, after which VP-47 returned to its new home port of NAS Alameda, California.

Three deployments were made to NAS Iwakuni, Japan, before the squadron received its first P5M-2 in October 1954. VP-47 was the first fleet squadron to receive Martin's new and improved version of the P5M-1 and four deployments were made to NAS Iwakuni, Japan with the P5M-2.

In 1955 the Squadron won the Dual-Piloted Aircraft Safety Award, and in 1956 was awarded the Commander Air Force Pacific fleet Battle Efficiency "E". In September 1957 the squadron was awarded the Chief of Naval Operations Safety Award for seaplanes, flying over 7,000 accident-free hours to receive this honor. In September 1960 the squadron again was awarded the Chief of Naval Operations Annual Aviation Safety Award for seaplanes, this time flying over 8,000 accident-free hours.

In August of 1960 the home port of the squadron was changed from NAS Alameda, California to NAS Whidbey Island, Washington. At this time the squadron began to receive the new SP-5B's, a modernization I of the P5M-2 which required an almost complet retraining of all .personnel. August of 1961 the CommandIng OffIcer and his crew flew to NAS Kodiak, Alaska, markIng the occasion of the fIrst sea.plane to land there since 1953, the first P5M ever to land there, and the largest U.S. Navy seaplane to operate in Alaskan waters. Then in May of 1962 the entire squadron. deployed with USS Currituck (AV-7) for SIX weeks to KodIak, with advanced base operations in Cold Bay, Alaska, to set another fIrst for seaplane operations.

In June 1964 the squadron again deployed to Cold Bay, this time with USS Salisbury Sound (AV-13).

In August of the same year the squadron departed the continental U.S. bound for NS Sangley Point, Philippines, and operations with the Seventh Fleet. During this seven month tour the squad- ron conducted operations in Vietnam, Okinawa, Japan, Korea, and the Philippines. Patrol Squadron FORTY-SEVEN was the first complete patrol squadron to be deployed to war-torn Vietnam. The squadron and USS Salisbury Sound (AV-13), operating from Da Nang, provided ASW coverage for Seventh Fleet units operating off the Vietnam coastline.

In March 1965, VP-47 returned to NAS Moffett Field, California to transition into Lockheed's new P-3A "Orion", thus entering anew era of ASW operations in the Fleet's newest patrol aircraft.

January 1966 found VP-47 on deployment, operating out of NAF Naha, Okinawa, Japan, with a detachment in NS Sangley Point, Philippines.

In June 1966, the squadron returned to its home port, NAS Moffett Field, California.

Patrol Squadron FORTY-SEVEN became one of the first BULLPUP equipped squadrons to deploy to WESTPAC when they again deployed to NAF Naha, Okinawa, Japan in June 1967. During the deployment, VP-47 aircrews have flown ASW/Surveillance missions from NAF Naha, Okinawa, Japan, and U- Tapao, Tailand.

In October 1968 PATROL SQUADRON FORTY-SEVEN departed NAS Moffett Field, California for a deployment to NS Sangley Point, Philippines and NAF Cam Ranh Bay, Vietnam. During this , deployment the squadron accumulated many flight hours in support of Market Time operations in South East Asia.

Circa 1967

A BIT OF HISTORY: "...Fleet Air Wings On Patrol - Page 28 to 29 - Naval Aviation News - March 1967..." WebSite: http://www.history.navy.mil/nan/backissues/1960s/1967/mar67.pdf [08SEP2004]

A BIT OF HISTORY: "...Fleet Air Wings On Patrol - Page 30 to 31 - Naval Aviation News - February 1967..." WebSite: http://www.history.navy.mil/nan/backissues/1960s/1967/feb67.pdf [08SEP2004]

A BIT OF HISTORY: "...Squadron Awards..." Contributed by Mahlon K. Miller mkwsmiller@cox.net [23APR2001]

Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal
01 Jul 67 – 30 Dec 67
15 Jan 71 – 15 Jul 71

Joint Meritorious Unit Award
25 Apr 91 – 03 Jun 91

Meritorious Unit Commendation
01 Jun 71 – 15 Dec 71
02 Jul 81 – 04 Aug 81
05 Sep 81 – 22 Sep 81

Navy "E" Ribbon (Battle "E")
01 Jul 74 – 01 Apr 76

Navy Unit Commendation
01 Jan 67 – 18 Mar 67
19 Mar 67 – 10 Apr 67
02 Apr 67 – 31 Mar 68

Republic of Vietnam Meritorious Unit Citation (Gallantry)
21 Nov 68 – 31 Mar 69
01 Jan 70 – 31 Mar 70
01 May 70 – 31 Jul 70

VP-47 Participating Aircrew

Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal
01 Jan 71 – 15 Jul 71
01 Nov 94 – 31 Mar 95

Navy Expeditionary Service Medal
08 Dec 78 – 06 Jun 79
10 Jan 81 – 10 Jun 81

Republic of Vietnam Meritorious Unit Citation (Gallantry)
20 Apr 70 – 15 Jul 70

VP-47 Participating Crewmembers

Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal
28 Nov 97 – 31 Dec 97
01 Apr 98 – 04 Jun 98

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Circa 1966

A BIT OF HISTORY: "...On Patrol With Fleet Air Wings - Page 22 to 23 - Naval Aviation News - April 1966..." WebSite: http://www.history.navy.mil/nan/backissues/1960s/1966/apr66.pdf [05SEP2004]

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Circa 1965

A BIT OF HISTORY: "...Pacific Air Wings On Patrol - Page 26 - Naval Aviation News - October 1965..." WebSite: http://www.history.navy.mil/nan/backissues/1960s/1965/oct65.pdf [02SEP2004]

A BIT OF HISTORY: "...ComNavAirPac E's Selected - Page 3 - Naval Aviation News - October 1965..." WebSite: http://www.history.navy.mil/nan/backissues/1960s/1965/oct65.pdf [02SEP2004]

A BIT OF HISTORY: "...On Patrol With Pacific Air Wings - Page 26 to 27 - Naval Aviation News - April 1965..." WebSite: http://www.history.navy.mil/nan/backissues/1960s/1965/apr65.pdf [31AUG2004]

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Circa 1964

A BIT OF HISTORY: "...USS Salisbury Sound (AV-13) - Circa 1964. Squadron Mentioned: VP-47..." WebSite: USS Salisbury Sound http://www.salisburysound.com/index_Page555.htm [09JAN2007]

A BIT OF HISTORY: "...Whidbey Units Train In Alaska - Page 28 - Naval Aviation News - October 1964..." WebSite: http://www.history.navy.mil/nan/backissues/1960s/1964/oct64.pdf [30AUG2004]

A BIT OF HISTORY: "...Here is an article from the NS Sangley Point, Philippines Newspaper in 1964 that some people might remember and find interesting ..." Contributed by MARTIN, Hughie hmartin16@tampabay.rr.com 19MAR2001]

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Circa 1962 - 1964

A BIT OF HISTORY: VP-47 History "...CDR Thurman E. SMITHEY completed a tour as Commanding Officer, Patrol Squadron FORTY-SEVEN, (09OCT1963-05OCT1964) which was also homeported at NAS Whidbey Island at the time, and in which he flew the P-5 Marline seaplanes..." Official U. S. Navy Documention [23DEC2012]

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Circa 1961

A BIT OF HISTORY: "...Safety Circle Checks Out - Page 10 - Naval Aviation News - December 1961..." WebSite: http://www.history.navy.mil/nan/backissues/1960s/1961/dec61.pdf [21AUG2004]

A BIT OF HISTORY: "...Whidbey Island Seaplane Ramp_Flight Line 1961..." Contributed by Robert E. "Charley" Weaver Phoolishbob@aol.com [12APR2000]

A BIT OF HISTORY: "...Hauling in on the steadying lines..." Contributed by George L. Stuart lithouse@norfolk.infi.net [06MAR98]

A BIT OF HISTORY: "...Whidbey Island Seaplane Harbor 1961..." Contributed by Robert E. "Charley" Weaver Phoolishbob@aol.com [12APR2000]

A BIT OF HISTORY: "...Whidbey Island USO 1961. AT3 Hahn?, AT3 Royce, AT3 Weaver..." Contributed by Robert E. "Charley" Weaver Phoolishbob@aol.com [12APR2000]

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Circa 1960

A BIT OF HISTORY: "...(FAETU (PACific/AtLANtic), VP-9, VP-19 and VP-47) - Naval Aeronautical Organization OPNAV NOTICE 05400 for Fiscal Year 1960 dated 1 February 1960 is: DECLASSIFIED per Office of Chief of Naval Operations on 1 February 1965 by Op-501 - Atlantic Fleet Support Stations..." WebSite: Naval Historical Center http://www.history.navy.mil/a-record/nao53-68/fy1960-feb60.pdf [12MAR2007]

A BIT OF HISTORY: "...Accident Rate Lowered - Page 12 - Naval Aviation News - October 1960..." WebSite: http://www.history.navy.mil/nan/backissues/1960s/1960/oct60.pdf [18AUG2004]

A BIT OF HISTORY: "...VP-47 Moves To Whidbey - Page 39 - Naval Aviation News - August 1960..." WebSite: http://www.history.navy.mil/nan/backissues/1960s/1960/aug60.pdf [18AUG2004]

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"VP-47 History Summary Page"

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