VPNAVY - VP-53 Shipmates Summary Page

VP-53 Shipmates

BAARSON, ART1 Raymond E. loraybar@centurytel.net "...I served with VPB-53 from 1944 to 1945. I was ART first class working on the maintenance crew as a radar technician. I am interested in contacting anyone who was on this crew with me or remembers me..." [24NOV2004]
BROOCKE, LT William R. C/O His Son Bill Broocke BroockeATL@aol.com "...Am looking for any and all stories and info about my dad (Lt. William R. Broocke) who flew PBYs. Last assignment Crew 10 Patrol Bombing Squadron 53 Green Island, Admiralty Group, South Pacific June 1945. He's still kicking and a retired National Airlines DC-10 Captain living in Vero Beach Florida. He and a skeleton crew made a night open sea landing with no flares (they didn't work) and no float lights (they didn't work) off of Bougainville Island on an emergenct air evac of a Marine who got drunk on lemon extract and was severely injured in a jeep accident. I'm collecting a book of stuff I get off the internet for a Christmas present. He'll be 80 in January. Thanks in advance guys..." Bill Broocke BroockeATL@aol.com

"...One of his old squadron mates had a bunch of photos of the entire squadron aircraft and crews and in darned good shape. I'm going to blow them up and put them in a folder for dad for Christmas. All you guys are heros in my book..." [17NOV99]
BUSH, Milton c/o His Son Milton Bush, Jr. MWBUSH@compuserve.com "...My dad, Milton Bush, worked with VPB-44 and VPB-53 Black Cat Squadrons in 1944-45 on Green Island, north of Bougainville, as the PATSU legal/personnel officer. Then reassigned with VPB-53 to Samar Island. He is now 90 and quite well, wintering on Jensen Beach, FL. Plays golf three times a week. I am working on a short history of Green Island in WW II. Would like to hear stories of others who were there..." [19DEC2001]

COHEN, LCDR Harold c/o David trekkie61@hotmail.com "...I served with VPB-53 (Pilot). I would like to hear from former Shipmates..." [08AUG2009]

DAHLLOF, CAPT Robert L. https://naval-air.org/flightlog/moreinfo.asp?UID=99 "...CAPT Robert L. Dahllof, USN - NFL Number: 99 - Date of Birth: 7/19/1914 - Date In: 1/1/1939 - Date Out: 1/1/1971 - City, State: Grass Valley, CA - School Attended: Cal. Maritime Acad - Aircraft Flown: PBY, PBM, PB4Y, F2H, R4D - Ship or Unit: USS Cape Esperance, XO - USS Regulus, CO - VP-172, CO - Pilot Desg.: Patrol Plane Cdr - Theaters, Campaigns, etc.: Atlant.,Pac.,Korea - Associations/Service Organizations: Navy Mutual Aid Assn - U.S. Naval Institute - Ret. Officers Assn - Highest personal decoration or award: Legion of Merit - Significant Achievements: 6000 hours flight time. CO of VP-17 (Korea). Officer-in-Charge of ASW Training Unit Pacific from 1943-45. Served in VP-53 (ASW Atlantic). In Memoriam? No..." [26NOV2005]
DORRIETY, LT Arnold Dean Retired adanne@doc.net "...Reported VP-53 July 1941 - NAS Argentia, Newfoundland, Canada - USS Belknap - USS Albermarle - USS Pocomoke. NAS Quonset Point, Rhode Island 12-08-41 - USS albermarle 12-29-41. Underway Reykajavik, Iceland - 1942-43. NAS Quonset Point, Rhode Island 5-43. uss Battan 11-43. Many other ships and squadrons. Avation Metalsmith Striker 12-40-LDO ENS 6/58 - Ret 03 6-30-68. Naval Missile Center, NAS Point Mugu, California. Any old Shipmates respond..." [15APR2000]

HAMMOND, Gerald gmh71123@aol.com "...If anyone can help me get in touch with VP-53 vets who were with the squadron in the Gilbert and Marshal Islands in WW2. Thanks much!...Looking for WWII mates of VP-83 (2/42 to 8/43), HEDRON 11, (1943-1944), VP-53 (1944-1945), VP-26 (1945-1946). Lemme hear from you please!..." [BIO/E-Mail Updated 09JUL2001 | 23JUL2000]
HENNING, Fred fhenning@adelphia.net "...I was in VPB-53 from autumn 1944 to end of the war. That was from NAS Whidbey Island, Washington to Okinawa. I would like to hear from any other pilots from VPB-53..." [E-Mail Updated 14AUG2000 | BIO Updated 24JAN99 | 25NOV98]

GOOD, CDR Dale S. Retired dmagood@cox.net "...I served with VP-53 at NAAF/NAF Port of Spain, Trinidad, British West Indies during WW2. I am 94 years old and dont't remember what I had for breakfast but remember VP-53 very well. I would like to hear from former Shipmates..." [29MAR2012]

"...ISBELL, CAPTAIN Arnold Jay...http://www.ranger95.com/navy/navy_ship/combat_ship/destroyers/background/arnold_j_isbell_dd_869_bak.htm Arnold J. Isbell—born on 22 September 1899 in Quimby, Iowa—entered the Naval Academy on 24 July 1917 and graduated on 3 June 1920 (a year ahead of schedule due to acceleration of midshipman training during World War I) with class 21A of the Class of 1921. Isbell then served successive tours of duty in Melville (AD-2), Bath (AK-4), and the fast minelayers Ingraham (DM-9) and Burns (DM-11) before beginning flight instruction at the NAS Pensacola, Florida, on 30 June 1923. He then briefly served as an instructor there before reporting to Observation Squadron 1, based in the minelayer Aroostook (CM-3) which was then serving as an aircraft tender in November 1924. In March of the following year, he was transferred to the aviation unit of the battleship Tennessee (BB-43). Following two years of postgraduate work in ordnance back at the Naval Academy between the summers of 1926 and 1928, he received further flight instruction at Washington, D.C., under the supervision of the post graduate school, before going to sea with Torpedo Squadron IB in aircraft carrier Lexington (CV—2)...Isbell then served in the Aviation Ordnance Section of the Bureau of Ordnance (BuOrd) in Washington before reporting to Newport News, Va., on 16 September 1933 to participate in the fitting out of the Navy's first aircraft carrier to be built as such from the keel up, Ranger (CV-4). Following a brief tour of duty in that ship, he served from 6 June 1934 to 9 June 1936 in carrier Saratoga (CV-3) as gunnery officer on the staff of Rear Admiral (later Vice Admiral) Henry V. Butler, Commander, Aircraft, Battle Force...Isbell subsequently flew as executive officer of VP-7F based in aircraft tender USS Wright (AV-1) from 9 June 1936 to 1 June 1937 before commanding one of the five squadrons of the Aviation Training Department at NAS Pensacola, Florida, VN-4D8. While at Pensacola, he won the coveted Schiff Trophy, "emblematic of maximum safety in aircraft operation."...In the early summer of 1939, Lt. Comdr. Isbell assumed command of VP-11 (later redesignated VP-54). The German invasion of Poland on 1 September 1939 found VP-54 based at NAS Norfolk, Virginia; engaged in biennial maintenance of its dozen PBY—2 flying boats. Eight days later, a detachment of six planes departed NAS Norfolk, Virginia and arrived at Newport, R.I., their assigned base, that same day. The entire squadron resumed operations on NAS Norfolk, Virginia on 14 November 1939, relieving VP-53 on the Middle Atlantic Patrol...During one of the flights his squadron conducted in the initial selection and survey of Army and Navy base sites in Newfoundland in the autumn of 1940—sites obtained in the "destroyers-for-bases" deal of the summer before—Isbell found himself in the path of a hurricane. In an attempt to evade the storm, Isbell skillfully maneuvered his aircraft in the murk until exceptionally strong headwinds forced him to make an emergency night landing on Prince Edward Island. Isbell took off before daybreak, despite fog and violent winds, and reached his destination without mishap. After completing his inspection over uninhabited regions and seacoast areas, Isbell returned to Newfoundland to carry out an aerial survey of Argentina, a place soon to become famous as the site of the "Atlantic Charter" conference. Isbell's expert airmanship and tenacious devotion to completing his mission resulted in his receiving the air medal...Relieved of command of VP-54 on 15 April 1941, Isbell then served successive tours of duty in a staff capacity—first for Commander, Patrol Wing, Support Force (16 April-2 October 1941) as that command's planes escorted North Atlantic convoys; then as chief of staff and aide for Rear Admirals E. D. McWhorter and A. D. Bernhard, Commander, Patrol Wings, Atlantic Fleet (3 October 1941-11 June 1942)—before assuming command of NAS, Sitka, Alaska, on 5 June 1942. Promoted to captain during his time in the Aleutians, Isbell then served briefly in BuOrd before assuming command of the escort carrier Card (CVE-11) on 17 April 1943...For the next year, Card ranged the essential lifeline across the Atlantic to North Africa, earning together with her escorting destroyers, a Presidential Unit Citation under the resourceful "Buster" Isbell, who believed firmly in the potential of the CVE, maintaining that such a ship, together with her escorts, "could most effectively whip the submarine menace—as an independent offensive group rather than as a mere tag-along protector of a single convoy." Isbell used the year he commanded Card wisely to vindicate his belief. As antisubmarine task group commander between 27 July and 9 November 1943, Isbell developed his escort carrier-destroyer unit into a powerful combat force, refining tactics to meet the operational demands imposed by a wily and tenacious foe and wresting the initiative from his hands. Card sought out the enemy undersea craft with relentless determination m a vigorous offensive and struck with a devastating coordinated action that destroyed eight U-boats between 7 August and 31 October 1943...Detached from Card on 9 March 1944, Isbell—who had been awarded a Legion of Merit for his important work in Card—took his intimate knowledge of combatting U-boats to Washington, where he served in the 10th Fleet—a shipless "fleet" set up to research and develop tactics for antisubmarine warfare. Following this tour of shore duty—which lasted into 1945—Isbell was slated to receive command of a fast carrier. On 26 February 1945, he was ordered to the Pacific for temporary duty in Franklin (CV-13). On 13 March 1945, further orders directed him to relieve Capt. Thomas S. Combs as commanding officer of Yorktovm (CV-10). However, Capt. Isbell perished when a Japanese plane scored two bomb hits that touched off a conflagration in Franklin—the carrier in which he was embarked as a passenger—off Kyushu on 19 March 1945..." [26MAR2005]

"...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... ...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]

"...NAGLE, LCDR Willard E. "Bud"...My father, Willard E. "Bud" Nagle, served in VPB-53 from 1942 thru 1944. He went on to retire as LCDR piloting A4s and F1s. His service records mention Gilbert Islands and Tarawa. If you knew him it would be fabulous to hear from you. He had one picture of himself and some other guys in "palm-tree" skirts goofing around in the Pacific. I will post that if I can find it...William Nagle..." [E-Mail Removed Per Request 04JUL2008 | BIO Updated 01JUL2008 | 04FEB2006]

PAGE, Harvey O. bethpelzer@aol.com "...I was in VP-53 when it first formed in NAS Norfolk, Virginia and was with the squadron until it returned from the Pacific and was stationed at NAS Whidbey Island, Washington. Looking for any squadron mate. I would like to contact R.E. Harrison (Reginald Edward)..." [17NOV2004]
"...PEDATELLA, AOM2 Alfonso (Fro)...My father, Alfonso (Fro) Pedatella served in WW2 between August 30, 1944 to November 8, 1945. His flight log book says he served with VPB-53 and VJ-7. I would love to hear from any Shipmates that remember him...Ronald A. Pedatella rpedatella@hflenz.com..." [10FEB2004]

Circa 1945 "...SCOTT, John H. Jr...My father, John H. Scott, Jr. (now deceased), served with VPB-53 and was from New Jersey and he was a Radioman 3rd Class. He was sent to NAAF Green Island in April, 1945 and then on to Samar to the end of the war. Prior to then he served with ZP-31 (blimps). The primary pilots listed in his flight log book are R. L. Wehlri and J.B. Calhoun. Although he also flew with Gillie, Ackerman, Conrad and Martin. Susan Scott (John Scott's daughter) sscottie48@wmconnect.com..." [18FEB2007]
SHEPPARD, Carl B. c/o His Son Philip Sheppard sheppard@hargray.com "...Looking for any information or stories about my father, Carl B. Sheppard, who served with VPB-53 on Green Island during 1945. Thanks!..." [24SEP2000]

ULLSPERGER, LTJG Leo c/o his son James Ullsperger golfnbert@aol.com "...Served with VP-48 in New Guini from 1943 to the end of the war, then transfered to VP-53 at NAS Whidbey Island, Washington..." [10JUN99]

WARREN, J. V. "Pat" longmires@worldnet.att.net "...Served in Patrol Bombing Squadron 53: PBY Black (Cat) Catalina Squadron, Navy Patrol Plane. During WWII, flew Marine brass into Nagasaki right after atomic bombing & later flew Adm. Spruance as his private plane for 4 mos. in Japan. Would like any info on this squadron. I served as an Aviation Radioman 2nd Class..." [14MAR99]

"...Since writing an inquiry Janary 2000, I (sister of J. V. Warren) have located the names of everyone who flew with my brother 1943-1945, VP-53 of Fleet Air Wing One, Plane PBY-6A. The pilot of the plane was Lt. George Rike Crumpler, who is still alive and lives in Tennessee. Others who flew on PBY-6A were: Ensign Francis H. Fellenbaum, Ensign Donald R. Brown, William Lynn Jr. (AMM2c), William C. Nantz (ARMlc), Louis B. Neumayer (AMM2c), James Victor Warren (ARM2c), Scott B.Hogue (AOM3c) and John K. Hood (AOM2c)...James V. Warren of PBY Squadron 53 longmires@worldnet.att.net..." SEE VP-53 History Summary Page for additional information. [02JAN2001]

"...YORK, Thomas H...Discovering this website was really quite moving for me when I saw my father's name listed in the VP-3 personnel roster. Sadly, LCDR Thomas H. York passed away in Sept 1959 when his TV-2 plunged into San Diego Bay shortly after takeoff from NAS North Island, San Diego, California. He was a CDR at that time. During his VP-3 tenure, I was apparently made the squadron mascot shortly after my adoption in 1951. Of course I still have the engraved silver cup. Appropriately, I have just ordered the VP Navy Mug to commemorate this experience. It would be an honor to hear from anyone who knew my dad, as well as anecdotes from those times at NAS Jacksonville, Florida. I suppose that I would also like to know if I creditably performed my duties as squadron mascot...Timothy R. York yorktr@aol.com..." [15JUN99]

"...I heard from one former member who vaguely remembered this...Also heard from a fellow who is writing a history and needs photos...Thanks!..." [14NOV99]

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