VP-5 Squadron Shipmates
http://www.vpnavy.org
VPNAVY Address

ShipmateVA(HM)-13 ShipmatesShipmate

ALFORD, Jimmy AlfordJD@navair.navy.mil "...I was in VAHM-13 at Chincoteague Va. 1956-1959. I have kept in touch with several Shipmates who were in the Squadron during this time. Give we a call..." [07SEP99]


BARBER, AVCM Carl L. clbarber@aol.com "...VAHM-13/VP-24 8/57-9/60; VW-15/VW-13 1/61-7/62; NATTC NAS Memphis, Tennessee 3/63-3/66; VP-4 8/66-2/69; NAMTD12 NAS Moffett Field, California 3/69-5/72; CPWP 5/72-10/76; NAMTRAGRU NAS Memphis, Tennessee 10/76-11/79..." [25MAY99]

BOBBITT, John RETBBSTACR@JUNCT.COM "...Served with VP-24 from 56-60, VP-18 from 64-68, VP-5 during the 70's, and Retired fom NAMTRA Det 75. Send me an E-mail if you remember me...Also served with VAHM-13..." [E-Mail Updated 05DEC2001 | BIO Updated 12FEB99 | [09FEB99]

BRISCOE, Bill wcbriscoe@aol.com "...I was transfered to VA(HM)-13 in March of 1959 and stationed at NAS Norfolk, Virginia now called Chambers Field. In July of that year the squadron was re-designated as VP-24. We flew P2V-5F's and split our squadron in aproximately April of that year into two units one going to NAS Keflavik, Iceland and one unit going to Malta for a six month tour. I left the squadron in February of 1961. I am looking for a VA(HM)-13 patch if anyone knows where I can find one please e mail me..." [14MAY2005]


CAMPBELL, Gary M. garydona@winco.net "...I was with VA(HM)13/VP-24 from Oct.'57 until my discharge in Oct '59. Served as 2nd radioman under J. T. Givens until his discharge then I was the radioman on LR-9 with LTCDR Gard as Pilot..." [06OCT2000]

COX, Jack Ray "Jackie" jabet31@att.net "...I served with FASRON-51 (1955-1956) at NAS Sanford, Florida and VA(HM)-13 (1957-1958) at NAS Chincoteague, Virginia with a deployment to Malta and subsequently discharged NAS Norfolk, Virginia. I am still in contact with two former Shipmates..." [E-Mail/BIO Updated 03NOV2014 | 29APR2009]

CURT, Johnson cejoh429@wi.rr.com "...Reported to VA(HM)-13 NAS Chincoteague, Virginia October 1957. Worked night checkin avionics until deployment to Malta in spring of 1958. First flight crew assignmentwas with crew 5 as 2nd radar operator, after which I was assigned with crew 6 as radar operator. Stayed with crew 6 until separation in October 1959. Did two tours in Malta (1958 and 1959). Hal Far, Malta closed in September or October 1959, so, we were the first squadron to operate out of NAS Sigonella, Sicily. Loved Malta but hated NAS Sigonella, Sicily. After separation from Reg Nav affiliated with reserve squadronsat NAS Glenview, Illinois flying in P2V 6Ms, P2V-5F, EP2Es, SP2Hs until transistion to P-3As. Assigned to reserve squadron VP-60 November 1970 until retirement March 1989. While with VP-60 flew Com. Would like to hear from former Shipmates..." [31AUG2011]


GILLMORE, PN2 Gerald pn2usn.56.66@gmail.com "...I served with VA(HM)-13/VP-24 (08/1957-06/1961), USS Saipan (CVL-48) through its decommissioning (01/1970), Naval Station Chasn SC, USS Princeton (LPH-5) and USS Gunston Hall (LSD-5)..." [05OCT2011]


HANSON, CAPTAIN Edwin (Ed) E. Retired edanddottiehanson@juno.com "...Served in the following squadrons and staffs during years noted: VP-24/VAHM-13 (1956-59), VP-46 (1962-64), FAW-10 (1965-67), VP-8 (1972-74; CO 1974), NS Rota, Spain (CO 1978-80), and COMPATWINGSPAC (COS 1982-84). Retired Navy with rank of Captain in 1984 The Boeing Company, Navy Programs (1984-95). Retired Boeing 1995..." [E-Mail Updated 30AUG2005 | 05APR99]

HUTCHISON, Paul phutch@gulftel.com "...I was a Radioman with VP-24, later VA(HM)-13, at NAS Chincoteague, Virginia 1956-58. I moved with the squadron to NAS Norfolk, Virginia when NAS Chincoteague, Virginia closed..." [27JAN2005]


Memorial Picture "...KERR, AD1 Charles "Chuck"...AD1 Charles "Chuck" Kerr passed away in July, 2011. Chuck served in VP-24 (VA(HM)-13) (1956-1960) and commissioned VP-30 on July 1, 1960. He was an excellent Plane Captain/Flight Engineer and will be sorely missed..." Contributed by McCOMAS, AVCM Finis "Mac" Retired mcporet@newwavecomm.net [03OCT2011]


LAUSIER, Joseph Real "Frenchy" laurc36@verizon.net "...I served in the Navy between Nov. 1954 to Nov. 1958, I went to school for Aviation Machinest Mate in NAS Memphis, Tennessee then was assigned to FAETULANT form 1955 to 1956 where I was transfered to VA(HM)13. I stayed there until my discharge in November 21, 1958. I was assigned to the power plants and most of the last year I was in charge of the engine change crew. I was known as "Frenchy" and would like to hear from other Shipmates. I have been in contact with a few of my Shipmates, but would like to hear from more. Thank You..." [12AUG2005]

LONGAR, AT2 Dennis James "Jim" foxtrot1532@msn.com "...I served with VP-24 / VAHM-13 (1956-02/1960) with deployments to Halfa, Malter. I flew as the Radio Operator aboard LR-11 (BUNO: 128396) most of that time. The PPC most of that time was LT. Vic Schoen. The Plane Captain was AD1 Jesse Franklin and AT3 Glenn Poulter. After the Navy I raised a family of four and still married to my wonderful wife of 64 years. I currently live in Tyler, TX. I would enjoy hearing from former Shipmates..." [E-Mail/BIO Updated 07SEP2020 | 12JUN98]


MARKLAND, M. A. sonnykay@yahoo.com "...I served with VA(HM)-13 / VP-24 (09/1956-12/1959) and flew as ECM Operater..." [22SEP2012]

Memorial Picture Shipmate Pix "...McMICHAEL, CPO Pelham Jackson "Jack" Retired...Sadly - I must report that my Dad, CPO Pelham Jackson McMICHAEL, passed away this morning around 8:30 a.m. Dad served with VP-81, attended school at NAS Banana River, Florida, VP-32, additional training at NAS Norman, Oklahoma, FAW-6, VS-32, FASRON-821, VC-9, FASRON-41, back to school at NAS Memphis, Tennessee, VA(HM)-13, VP-24 and back to school at NAS Memphis, Tennessee. Dad will be missed. Additional information on my Dad's services can be found on In Loving Memory - Pelham Jackson "Jack" McMichael - 5/1/1924 - 4/16/2011. My sister, Margaret, created a slide show on Daddy at: Pelham Jackson McMichael Video.." Contributed by Leila McMichael keela001@gmail.com [BIO Updated 15AUG2011 | 16APR2011]

McMICHAEL, CPO Pelham Jackson "Jack" Retired c/o Leila McMichael... Shipmate Pix...keela001@gmail.com "...7-9-41: Dad joined the Navy in Montgomery, AL. He was in Platoon 185 in boot camp under Chief P. E. Stein. He was in AMM School Class 16 under Chief Sweeney. He graduated circa 8-19-41 and went to A School to become an aircraft mechanic at AD3 rank. 12-7-41: Pearl Harbor was attacked and WWII began while he was still in school. 1-3-42: Dad joined VP-81 at NAS Key West, Florida working on PBY's. He had traveled by train 3-4 days to Homestead, FL, then by bus to Key West. His first job was with AP First Class Red Schiebler in the oxygen lab. 8-14-42: Dad went to NAS Banana River, Florida to train as a flight engineer on PBM's. Some pilots were training at the same time their crew was, but the crew assumed they already knew what they were doing. 11-10-42: Dad went by bus to NAS Norfolk, Virginia then to NAS Guantanamo Bay, Cuba by transport plane. He joined VP-32 in NAS Guantanamo Bay, Cuba working on PBM aircraft. He bought a horse named Specks while there. From there he was sent to NAS Trinidad, British West Indies as a maintenance man in VP-53. They flew mostly PBY's instead of PBM's. Jack sailed on a destroyer from NAS Trinidad, British West Indies to Miami, FL through Torpedo Alley. Then he traveled by train to San Francisco by way of Chicago. 4-12-43: Dad was with VP-53 working on PBY 5 A's that could land on sea or land. Went to San Diego for flight to Hawaii, but he was taken off the plane to let a yeoman get on board to pay those there. Unfortunately the plane blew up on the trip, killing everyone on board. Jack did not find out what had happened until he was assigned to another crew, under LT Henry P. Gausman. Jack was a second class mechanic. Hank Gausman was a good pilot and saved his crew's lives more than once through his piloting skills. Jack also had high praise for the Plane Captain, M. P. Martin, who always made sure the fuel line clamp from the pump was tightened down before every flight. [My father wanted to add a excerpt from his autobiography at this point. He wrote: We flew [from Heilo] to Kaneohe and landed in the bay there. The pilot brought the plane up to the beach and the beach crew put temporary wheels on it and pulled us up on the ramp. We left the plane and found a place to stay in the barracks. The next day when we came down, we found they'd taken the wheels out of the plane and put them on, so now we could take off and touch down on either land or water. They issued each of us a pistol with a shoulder holster. I got a 38 pistol with 5 rounds. I said, "Man, 5 rounds ain't much to go fight a war with." He said that was all they had. They couldn't send regular ball ammunition out there, it had to be metal jacketed because that was international law of warfare. The ordinance man got a machine gun. The next day we took off for Johnson Island. When we landed there, they gassed us up. I noticed they had lots of mosquitoes there. I said to the man gassing us up, "You've got some big mosquitoes here." He said, "Yes, one of them landed yesterday and I put 180 gallons in it before I found out that it was a mosquito!" I said, "Oh NO!!" We took off from Johnston Island and flew for a good while before we got to Palmyra Island (Atoll) where we landed and were gassed up again and took off for Kanton Island. From Kanton Island we gassed up and flew to Funafuti Island. We were there for three days. I dug myself a fox hole as soon as I could. Some laughed at me, but as stated earlier, my mother didn't raise a fool. They told us to go flying and we took off and were gone a long time on patrol. It was after dark when we got back and while landing, I noticed that there was a military jeep running alongside of us. I raised the hatch and asked, "What's the matter?" "He said, "Were under attack! Put that plane into revetment and get into your fox hole!" I told the pilot and he quickly guided the plane into a revetment, and we all jumped out and ran for our fox holes. I couldn't get into mine because it was full of people! I said, "This is my damn fox hole, get the hell out or move over or something!" I had dug the fox hole 6 feet long and 3 feet deep and 3 feet wide. I had intended lying down in it. There were about 5 or 6 men squatting in it, and I wiggled down in there beside them. The Japanese came over and started bombing. One plane dropped 4 bombs and scored on 4 planes including ours which we had just gotten out of moments before. Our plane was blown to pieces. The Japanese bomber knew just how far apart those revetments were and he set his invelometer to drop a bomb exactly in the center of each one of them. All he had to do was hit the center of the first one and the other bombs automatically fell in the right place. It scared the devil out of me and when it was all over, we went back around the revetment to survey the damage. Our plane was just a pile of metal. The gas tank had blown up and burned everything. I picked up a piece of the propeller, put it in my pocket. I still have it today. The ordinance man said, "Boy I wish I had thought about grabbing that machine gun." He was like the rest of us and got out so fast that he didn't think about it.] Daddy added that the PBY's had to go out at night because they flew so slow that sometimes they could get shot down. To avoid being shot down at night, they ran the right engine 200 rpms slower than other. That would throw the Japanese "big ears" off and they would miss on the right. He said that they eventually lost 9 aircraft of the 15 they had. They lost so many planes his squadron was replaced with another. They flew back to Kaneohe Island in Hawaii and turned in their guns. He returned the same 5 rounds of ammo he was issued and was really glad he didn't have to use them. 7-2-44: From MCBH Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii Jack was put on U.S.S. Barnes, an aircraft carrier to NAS Alameda, California. From there took a train, then a bus to NAS Whidbey Island, Washington where the squadron was reforming. Transferred to FASRON. 4-15-45: Dad was a student in NAS Norman, Oklahoma, for Combat Air Crew (CAC) "B" school. 7-4-45: Dad went to Naval Air Gunnery School at NAS Jacksonville, Florida. He was trained on 3 different machine guns: 30, 50 caliber and 20 millimeter. 8-4-45: Dad was transferred to the NAS Jacksonville, Florida where he joined FAW-6. He was put on the PBY planes. Successfully tested for and became first class. Because of illness, he was made Master of Arms in the barracks. 12-31-46: WWII officially ended. 5-10-47: Jack's time was up and he left to try civilian life. 7-4-49: Dad re-entered the Navy in Montgomery, AL. Would not let him come back in as first class, so he re-entered as second class. Sent to Naval Operating Base in Charleston, SC on permanent shore patrol. 8-30-49: Dad transferred to VS-32 at NAS Norfolk, Virginia working on TBM's (torpedo bomber by Martin). He had only worked on seaplanes, but he had to learn about this carrier plane fast. Became first class again and the Commander's Plane Captain. Met Gene Manken from Washington state. While there he met Lavelle Estes, his future wife. He married her on August 4, 1950. April 1951 the squadron transferred to NAS Quonset Point, Rhode Island. From 9-51 to 11-51 his squadron, VS-32 went on a Mediterranean cruise with the 6th Fleet. He was hanger deck Petty Officer. They visited Gibraltar. 2-19-52: They went on a cruise to Puerto Rico which lasted to March of the same year. Then the U.S.S. Oriskany had to go around the Horn because it was too wide for the Panama Canal. They offered the men to serve on board during the journey, but warned them it would be hazardous. They stopped at Guantanamo Bay, where he found out that his horse Specks had died. On 6-16-52: Dad was initiated into the reign of Neptune Rex. The trip around the Horn was dangerous. They had welders working night and day repairing the ship. After they made it around the horn safely, he got his Mossback card on 6-29-52. 10-31-52: Dad was in FASRON-821 in NAS Sanford, Florida. 1-5-53: Dad's first child was born, daughter, Leila Melinda, in Orlando, FL at the Air Force Base. 6-10-53: Dad was in VC-9 in NAS Sanford, Florida, AJ Squadron working on atomic bombers. They used reciprocating engines to deliver payload and jet engine to escape. They went on a cruise to the Azores. 3-15-54: During that trip second daughter, Rebecca Ann, was born in Orlando, FL at the Air Force Base. 6-28-54: Dad was in FASRON-41 (formerly FASRON-821) NAS Sanford, Florida. 12-5-54: Dad was in VS-26 working on S2F's at NAS Norfolk, Virginia. These were carrier-based submarine hunter/killer aircraft by Grumman. 11-31-55: Dad went to Electronics "A" school at NAS Memphis, Tennessee. Afterwards he transferred to Mech "B" School. 3-10-56: Dad's third daughter, Margaret Jean, was born in Memphis, TN. Afterwards Dad was transferred to NAS Chincoteague, Virginia where VA(HM)-13 became VP-24. 10-17-56: Dad was in VP-24 working on P2V's These were land-based aircraft with both reciprocating and jet engines by Lockheed. Some were adapted for flight off carriers. VP-24 went on a cruise to Malta for 5 months. 5-3-59: Dad was deployed to NAS Keflavik, Iceland. 8-28-59: Dad's fourth child, a son, Philip Jackson, born in Blowing Rock, NC. 10-4-59: Dad went back to NAS Chincoteague, Virginia. 1-5-60: Dad went to AD "B" Instructor's School at NAS Memphis, Tennessee. From 2-12-60 he taught airplane mechanics on both jet and reciprocating engines. January 1961 he took the test to be a Chief Petty Officer. Went to Chief leadership school 3-1-61 in Pensacola, FL. He remembers James A. Mann, an officer. 6-1-61: Dad returned to NAS Memphis, Tennessee as an instructor. Taught until 4-1-63 when he retired and went into the U.S. Naval Reserve where he served 10 years. Served as Caldwell County's Veterans Service Officer (in Lenoir, North Carolina) from 1966 to 1977. 3-22-82: Dad's first wife "Val" died of pancreatic cancer. 2-28-87: Dad married second wife, Billie Sue Barlow McMichael. She takes good care of him. Jack McMichael is a member of the American Legion Post 29; VFW Post 5381; Disabled Veterans of America, Chapter 6; Fleet Reserve Association, Branch 60; The Retired Enlisted Association; Nat'l Association for Uniformed Services; The National Chief Petty Officers Association; and the PBY Catalina International Association, to name a few..." [UPDATED 14AUG2020 | 19SEP2010]

McCOMAS, AVCM Finis "Mac" Retired Shipmate Pix mcporet@newwavecomm.net "...Served with VA(HM)-13/VP-24 from 1957 to 1960 as ATAN, AT3, and AT2. Flew on Crew 1 with CDR Rau and LTjg Stan Harmon and then with Mr. Harmon with CDR Rau moved on. It's been a long time. Commissioned VP-30 1960 as an AT2 (and then AT1). I won the contest for designing the VP-30 patch (owls with mortarboards on and sub underneath), but the Walt Disney artists said it was too detailed to make a patch from. I won a $25 savings bond and a trip to St. Augustine with my wife and kids. I was a radar instructor for a lot of students that came through during the period of 1960-1963. I remember the two planes we lost (one with all hands and one with no casualties). Served in VP-5 as AX1 and AXC from late 1963 to 1967 and transitioned from P2's to P-3's. Definitely remember Chief's initiation for me set up by Chiefs Dietz and Warner. Deployed to NS Sangley Point, Philippines in 1967. Mainly ran Night Check as Maintenance Control Chief...Served in VP-1 with 2 tours in Vietnam from 1971-74...Served as Maintenance Control Chief and Senior Enlisted Advisor in VP-1 as AVCM. Finished career as instructor in Aircraft Maintenance Officers School at NATTC Memphis, Tennessee. Retired in 1975..." [PIX added 24JUN2009 | E-Mail Updated 06SEP2007 | E-Mail Updated 21OCT2006 | E-Mail/BIO Updated 29NOV2001 | BIO Updated 24OCT2000 | 21OCT2000]

MINEO, Thomas W. tomeled@aol.com "...I served with VA(HM)-13 (1957-1959) at NAS Chincoteague, Virginia with a deployment to Hal-Far Airfield in Malta and briefly assigned to Crew-4 as ECM operator. I also served with VR-6 at McGuire AFB, New Jersey and was discharged in July 1960. Worked for Pan American Airways for 29 years and still working with the FAA as Assistant Manager at the New York Flight Standards District office in Garden City, NY. Have lost all contact with my Shipmates except for one James Keating from VR-6..." [01NOV2010]

MONROE, Bill billmonroe@suscom-maine.net "...Photo of SP-2E BUNO: 131488 (Incorrectly identified as an SP-2H) on the VP-26 page shows her in the light grey livery. 131488 carried the side number LK-2 during the period May 1963 to October 1964 while our superb Crew 2 and I accumulated about 650 hours in her while I was the PPC , much of the hours in the Med, operating out of NAS Sigonella, Sicily, NS Rota, Spain, NAF Lajes, Azores, Portugal, Athens and many other locations. During those very enjoyable months with a fine crew, she wore the dark blue and white top paint job. I have a picture of her hanging on my office wall with me in the left seat and our outstanding AO Molnar in the aft station window, taken over Maine. I re-enlisted our radioman, John Coles, currently retired and living in Lexington Park, in flight during a patrol over the North Atlantic, during which he announced over the intercom that President Kennedy had been shot. My wife and I retired here to Harpswell, right under the base leg to the BNAS north runway with these clunky new P-3s passing overhead to keep the memories alive. Would like to hear from anyone that was on our crew, or in VP-26, during those years - or in VAHM-13/VP-24 from 1956 through 1958..." [04JUN2001]


PACALO, CAPTAIN Nicholas Retired safetynick@aol.com "...I served as a pilot in VP-24 (redesignated VA(HM)-13 at NAS Chincoteague, Virginia and NAS Norfolk, Virginia (1956-1960) flying as PPC of Crew-6 NAS Norfolk. I flew the P2V-6M/5F/7 and P2V-2/3 while in Advanced Flight Training at NAS Hutchinson, Kansas (1956). I was also the writer of Grampaw Pettibone (1971-1977) while attached to the CNO...I was deployed to Malta twice (1959 and 1960), my first tour after wings. As a side issue I as the writer of GRAMPAW PETTIBONE (1971 to 1979)..." [BIO Updated 20JUL2019 | BIO Updated 15MAY2013 | 18NOV99]


RIEK, AWCM(AC) Anthony C. Retired acr@cswnet.com "...I retired after 25 years Navy service. My first tour was with VA(HM)-13 NAS Chincoteague, Virginia as a PR with P2s. Then we moved to NAS Norfolk, Virginia and redesignated VP-24. From there I attended PR-B school and went to NAS Anacostia, Washington, D.C.. After 9 months I became a member of the Chuting Stars Navy Parachute Team in NAS Pensacola, Florida until we disbanded in July 1964. I then went to VP-7 in NAS Jacksonville, Florida and then to AX-A School as a PR-1. Then to VP-5 back in NAS Jacksonville, Florida. I then did a tour as an instructor, (AWC) with FASO in NAS North Island, San Diego, California and finally in NAS Moffett Field, California. Next was VP-9 (AWCS) and shore duty at VP-31 (AWCM). Probably my most enjoyable tour was at VP-31. I was selected for Warrant Officer and I declined the Commission. Many good memories, only wish my tour there had lasted longer..." [13MAY2004]


SHREK, AD2 George ggshreks2f@windstream.net "...I served with VA-HM-13 (1957-1958) and flew as Plane Captain aboard LR-10. I would like to hear from former Shipmates..." [10APR2014]

STABENOW, AT2 Arthur "Buzz" bstabenow@sftrust.com "...I served with VA(HM)-13 and VP-24 from 1958 through 1960. I was an AT2 and a crew member on several crews. I deployed to Malta with the squadron in 1958 and to NAS Keflavik, Iceland in 1959. I would like to have my name posted and also to hear from anyone that served at the same time..." [22NOV2007]


TURCHI, Francis L. Retired fltavcm9@bellsouth.net "...Served with VA(HM)-13/VP-24 from January 1957 through June 1960 at Chincoteage and NAS Norfolk, Virginia. Flew crew on HA-6 and LR-8 at NAS JRB Willow Grove, Pennsylvania from December 1953 through December 1956, NAF China Lake, CA from July 1960 through November 1962, HU-2/HC-2 from August 1963 through March 1968, AMD Lakehurst from March 1968 through July 1971, VQ-2 from August 1971 through July 1975, NAAS Corry Field, Florida from September 1975 through March 1978, USS Saratoga CV-60 from April 1978 through September 1980, VA-72 NAS Cecil Field, Jacksonville, Florida from October 1980 through March 1982, AIMD Meridian, MS from April 1982 through June 1983, 4/82-6/83, VT-10 from July 1983 through June 1985, USS Nimitz CVN-68 from July 1985 through November 1987, and retired November 1, 1987. Went to work at NADEP Pensacola from January 1989 through April 1995. Been in contact with several VA(HM)-13/VP-24/HC-2/VQ-2 personnel through the years. Call anytime..." [E-Mail Updated 25FEB2002 | E-Mail Updated 12MAY2001 | 28NOV99]


WOLFORD, Larry lwlasers@aol.com "...I was in VP-24 , NAS Chincoteague, Virginia. from Oct. 1955 thru Jan. 1959. During this time VP-24 was renamed VA(HM)-13, then subsequently reversed back to VP-24. I spent two tours of duty in Halfar Malta. in 1956 and 1958. Spent hundreds of hours off the coast of Florida looking for Russian submarines during the Cape Canaveral era. The squadron was made up of P2V-2's, P2V-6M's, then went to P2V-5F's. I was discharged in January of 1959 and shortly there after I was told that NAS Chincoteague was de-activated. I lost all contact with many squadron friends..." [11SEP2000]


Return
"VA(HM)-13 Summary Page"