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

HistoryVP-91 HistoryHistory

Circa 1944

HistoryA BIT OF HISTORY: "...History of FAW-14 - History from 15OCT42-01DEC42 - Submitted December 22nd, 1944. Squadron's Assigned: VP-1, VP-2, VP-4, VP-11, VP-12, VP-13, VP-14, VP-15, VP-21, VP-23, VP-24, VP-33, VP-44, VP-53, VP-54, VP-71, VP-72, VP-81, VP-91, VP-101, VP-102, VP-103, VP-104, VP-106, VP-109, VP-111, VP-115, VP-117, VP-118, VP-119, VP-121, VP-122 and VP-202..." Official U. S. Navy Records (National Archives and Records Administration) via Fold3 http://www.fold3.com/ [06DEC2012]

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HistoryA BIT OF HISTORY: "...History of FAW-6 - 02NOV43-31DEC44. History Submitted: January 24, 1945. Squadron's Assigned: VP-12, VP-41, VP-42, VP-43, VP-45, VP-53, VP-61, VPB-62, VPB-91, VPB-120, VPB-131, VP-135, VP-136, VP-138, VP-139, VP-142, VPB-144, VP-146, VP-151, VPB-199..." Official U. S. Navy Records (National Archives and Records Administration) via Fold3 http://www.fold3.com/ [28NOV2012]

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HistoryA BIT OF HISTORY: "...PBY BUNO: 63993 USN History Card..." WebSite: Yahoo PBY Group http://groups.yahoo.com/group/PBY/ [11FEB2007]

    • Accepted 19JAN44
    • Delivered 20JAN44
    • OTU FAW-14
    • Hedron FAW-6 31AUG44-DEC44
    • VPB-91 DEC44-MAR45
    • VPB-61 MAR45-SEP45
    • Hedron FAW-6 Sep45-DEC45
    • Pool Hedron FAW-4 DEC45-APR46
    • NAF Philadelphia APR46-JAN47
    • NART NAS Olathe, Kansas JAN47-AUG48
    • Pool Philadelphia, Mustin Field 31AUG48
    • O&R Philadelphia JAN50
    • Retired JAN50
    • SOC O&R Philadelphia JUN50
    • Total hours flown 2215

HistoryA BIT OF HISTORY: "...Location of U. S. Naval Aircraft - Dated 11 Jan 1944..." WebSite: Naval Historical Center http://www.history.navy.mil/ [29SEP2006]

VP SQUADRONS MENTIONED

VD-1, VD-2, VD-3 and VD-4

VJ-1, VJ-2, VJ-3, VJ-4, VJ-5, VJ-7, VJ-8, VJ-9, VJ-10, VJ-11, VJ-12, VJ-13, VJ-14, VJ-15, and VJ-16

VP-6 Coast Guard

VP-11, VP-12, VP-13, VP-14, VP-15, VP-16, VP-17, VP-18 and VP-19

VP-20, VP-23 and VP-24

VP-32, VP-33 and VP-34

VP-43, VP-44 and VP-45

VP-52 and VP-54

VP-61 and VP-62

VP-71, VP-72, VP-73 and VP-74

VP-81 and VP-84

VP-91, VP-92 and VP-94

VP-101, VP-102, VP-103, VP-104, VP-105, VP-106, VP-107, VP-108 and VP-109

VP-110, VP-111, VP-112, VP-113, VP-115, VP-116 and VP-117

VP-126, VP-127, VP-128 and VP-129

VP-130, VP-131, VP-132, VP-133, VP-134, VP-135, VP-136, VP-137, VP-138 and VP-139

VP-140, VP-141, VP-142, VP-143, VP-144, VP-145, VP-146, VP-147, VP-148 and VP-149

VP-150 and VP-151

VP-201, VP-203, VP-204, VP-205, VP-208 and VP-209

VP-210, VP-211, VP-212, VP-213, VP-214, VP-215 and VP-216


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HistoryA BIT OF HISTORY: "...29APR44 - Motor torpedo boats PT-346 and PT-347 are accidentally sunk by F4Us (VMF 215) and F6Fs (VF 34), and SBDs and TBFs off Cape Lambert, Bismarck Archipelago, 04°13'S, 151°27'E. PBY (VP 91) rescues survivors from the two PT-boats..." WebSite: HyperWar http://www.ibiblio.org/hyperwar/USN/USN-Chron/USN-Chron-1944.html [13SEP2005]

HistoryA BIT OF HISTORY: VP-91 ThumbnailCamera "...Chief's oparty at Halavo, 6/6/44. Thats Pooch Purcell entertaining..." Contributed by McMANUS, ACRM John C. JNEMAC@aol.com via WINTER, George B. pbycat@bellsouth.net WEBSITE: http://www.vpnavy.com/winter.html [15MAR2001]

HistoryA BIT OF HISTORY: "...14APR44--VP-91 RESCUE: Edmond F. Frazier SURVIVOR FROM VP-148: LT William T. Henderson, CAP Billy Robran, and ARM3c Thomas P. Humphrey..." From Jim Sawruk files...Contributed by George B. Winter pbycat@bellsouth.net WEBSITE: http://www.vpnavy.com/winter.html [Updated ICQ # 17809169]

UPDATE "...My wife and myself went to the Reunion at NIAGARA FALLS OCT 1998. For your information of the men rescued Lt. William T.Henderson pasted away this year CAP Billy Robran we are looking for him in the USA ARM3C Thomas P. Humphrey was at the Reunion as well. Another bit of information COMMANDER HARRY STANFORD pinned a set of WINGS on his grandson LT. STANFORD who will be flying F-15 E for the AIR FORCE . This was done DEC 11,1998 at Wichita Falls Texas..." Contributed by William (Bill) Kalmanson Mechanic and Navagator c130manson@aol.com WebSites: http://www.c130towbars.com/ and http://www.mansonaviation.com/ [22DEC98]


Circa 1943

HistoryA BIT OF HISTORY: "...My father, AD1 Roger W. SMYTH, Dad enlisted September 1942 and was discharged February 1946. He completed USNTS (AM) NAS Norman, Oklahoma; NAGS Purcell, OK; OTU (PBY) NAS North Island, San Diego, California; and OTU (PBM) NAS Corpus Christi, Texas. He saw service VP-91, VPB-99, VPB-100 and VP-17. He earned the Victory Medal World War II, American Area Asiatic-Pacific Area (3 Stars) and the Good Conduct Medal. He identified traveling/patrolling Honolulu & Kanehoe, HI; Johnston, Suva Is; Fiji Is; New Caledonia (Ile Nou); Espiritu Santo; Guadalcanal; Tolagi; Soloman Is; Admiralty Is (Manua & Rabual); Cafiete (sp?) Philippines; China (Shanghai & Whangpo); Saipan Marianas; Eniwetok; New Zealand (Auckland & Wellington). Compiled from the Up-Floats 91 Cruise Books. Spring of 1943 - Attached is the Excel listing of personnel. There is a filter built-in in Row 6. If you are not familiar with this feature. It is very easy to use. Just click on the appropriate drop-down arrow in the column in which you are seeking information, "de-SELECT ALL", then click on the information that you'd like to find quickly. For instance, say you'd like to only look at members of crew 17. Click on the column arrow for Crew, click the check in the box SELECT ALL (it will de-select all checks below it), then click crew 17. All that will appear are members of crew 17. To restore, just reverse the process by re-checking SELECT ALL. The graphic file doesn't include the added feature..." Contributed by Claudia Smyth Strock cjstrock@comcast.net [14APR2014]

Microsoft Excel SpreadsheetMicrosoft Excel Worksheet 18.45 KBMicrosoft Excel Spreadsheet
VP-91 History

HistoryA BIT OF HISTORY: "...Location of U. S. Naval Aircraft - Dated 31 May 1943..." WebSite: Naval Historical Center http://www.history.navy.mil/ [02OCT2006]

VP SQUADRONS MENTIONED

CASU

PATSU

VD-1, VD-2 and VD-3

VJ-1, VJ-2, VJ-3, VJ-4, VJ-5, VJ-7 and VJ-10

VP-1

VP-11, VP-12, VP-13, VP-14 and VP-15

VP-23

VP-32, VP-33 and VP-34

VP-43, VP-44 and VP-45

VP-52, VP-53 and VP-54

VP-61, VP-62 and VP-63

VP-71, VP-72, VP-73 and VP-74

VP-81 and VP-84

VP-91, VP-92 and VP-94

VP-101, VP-102, VP-103, VP-104, VP-105, VP-106, VP-107, VP-108 and VP-109

VP-125, VP-126, VP-127 and VP-128

VP-130, VP-131, VP-132, VP-133, VP-134, VP-135, VP-136, VP-137, VP-138 and VP-139

VP-140, VP-142, VP-144 and VP-146

VP-201, VP-202, VP-203, VP-204, VP-205, VP-206, VP-207, VP-208 and VP-209

VP-210, VP-211 and VP-212

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HistoryA BIT OF HISTORY: "...Location of U. S. Naval Aircraft - Dated 16 Jan 1943..." WebSite: Naval Historical Center http://www.history.navy.mil/ [01OCT2006]

VP SQUADRONS MENTIONED

CASU and PATSU

VJ-1, VJ-2, VJ-3, VJ-4, VJ-5, VJ-6, VJ-7 and VJ-8

VP-6 Coast Guard

VP-3

VP-11 and VP-12

VP-23 and VP-24

VP-31, VP-32, VP-33 and VP-34

VP-41, VP-42, VP-43 and VP-44

VP-51, VP-52, VP-53 and VP-54

VP-61, VP-62 and VP-63

VP-71, VP-72, VP-73 and VP-74

VP-81, VP-82, VP-83 and VP-84

VP-91, VP-92VP-93, and VP-94

VP-101, VP-102, VP-103, VP-104, VP-105, VP-106, VP-107, VP-108 and VP-109

VP-110

VP-127, VP-128 and VP-129

VP-131, VP-132, VP-133 and VP-134

VP-200, VP-201, VP-202, VP-203, VP-204, VP-205, VP-206, VP-207, VP-208 and VP-209

VP-210, VP-211, VP-210, and VP-216


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HistoryA BIT OF HISTORY: "...Location of U. S. Naval Aircraft - Dated 09 Nov 1943..." WebSite: Naval Historical Center http://www.history.navy.mil/ [01OCT2006]

VP SQUADRONS MENTIONED

CASU and PATSU

VD-1, VD-2, VD-3 and VD-4

VJ-1, VJ-2, VJ-3, VJ-4, VJ-5, VJ-15, and VJ-16

VP-6 Coast Guard

VP-1

VP-11, VP-12, VP-13, VP-14, VP-15 and VP-16

VP-23 and VP-24

VP-32, VP-33 and VP-34

VP-43, VP-44 and VP-45

VP-52, VP-53 and VP-54

VP-61, VP-62 and VP-63

VP-71, VP-72, VP-73 and VP-74

VP-81 and VP-84

VP-91, VP-92 and VP-94

VP-101, VP-102, VP-103, VP-104, VP-105, VP-106, VP-107, VP-108 and VP-109

VP-110, VP-111, VP-112, VP-113, VP-114, VP-115 and VP-116

VP-125, VP-126, VP-127, VP-128 and VP-129

VP-130, VP-131, VP-132, VP-133, VP-134, VP-135, VP-136, VP-137, VP-138 and VP-139

VP-140, VP-141, VP-142, VP-143, VP-144, VP-145, VP-146, VP-147, VP-148 and VP-149

VP-150

VP-201, VP-202, VP-203, VP-204, VP-205, VP-206, VP-207, VP-208 and VP-209

VP-210, VP-211, VP-212, VP-213, VP-214, VP-215 and VP-216


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HistoryA BIT OF HISTORY: "...Location of U. S. Naval Aircraft - Dated 09 Feb 1943..." WebSite: Naval Historical Center http://www.history.navy.mil/ [28SEP2006]

VP SQUADRONS MENTIONED

VJ-1, VJ-2, VJ-3, VJ-7 and VJ-8

VP-11, VP-12, VP-13 and VP-14

VP-23 and VP-24

VP-31, VP-32, VP-33 and VP-34

VP-41, VP-42, VP-43 and VP-44

VP-61, VP-62, and VP-63

VP-71, VP-72, VP-73 and VP-74

VP-81, VP-82, VP-83 and VP-84

VP-91, VP-92, VP-93 and VP-94

VP-101

VP-127, VP-128 and VP-129

VP-130, VP-132, VP-133 and VP-134

VP-201, VP-202, VP-203, VP-205, VP-206, VP-207, VP-208 and VP-209,

VP-210, VP-211 and VP-212
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HistoryA BIT OF HISTORY: VP-91 Crew ThumbnailCameraVP-91 Shipmates "In the middle top was Purcell with Archibald (1943 not 1942)---we waiting transportion to the USA, 1943 April..." Contributed by George B. Winter pbycat@bellsouth.net WEBSITE: http://www.vpnavy.com/winter.html Editor: "UP-FLOATS Newsletter(s)" [Updated ICQ # 17809169]

HistoryA BIT OF HISTORY: "09FEB43-"Statement of action between a Mitsubishi 96 and a PBY-5" Contributed by George B Winter pbycat@bellsouth.net..... "UP-FLOATS Newsletter(s)" World War II Stories, and more!!![09JUN98]

From: Lieut. Paul W. Kimball, Jr.
To: The Commander Patrol Squadron NINETY-ONE
Subject: Statement of action between a Mitsubishi 96 and a PBY-5

1. On February 5th, while on routine patrol, at 9035 and 200 miles north of Vanikoro, I was attacked by a Japanese twin engine army bomber of the type Mitsubishi 96, the attack lasting 20 minutes. This plane was of regular U. S. Army color and had a greyish green band around the fuselage, just forward of the tail section, with a red circle on the center of the band. It had red circle on the underside of each wing tip. The only two places of gun fire were: (1) from the 20 mil. Cannon in the tail which has a low area of swing (about 30 degrees) in a horizontal plane, and none in the vertical plane, and (2) place of firing was from a turret on top of the fuselage, just aft of the trailing edge of the wing. I believe this had twin 7.7 mil. Guns in it. There was never any gun fire from the bottom of the fuselage or forward of the wing at any time nor did any guns show in these places.

2. He approached me from the port quarter, at an altitude of 800 feet. At the time, I was flying at 500 feet and then went down to 200 feet or less. He flew a parallel course to mine and stayed at 350 to 400 yards to the beam. He always stayed on the port side and, in this connection, only our port .50 cal. was fired - the starboard 50 cal. was not used. He never made a cross-over run and never got forward of my bow. I turned toward him to get closer and also to give the waist gunner a better shot. Each time I did this he would pull up and turn away putting his tail cannon on me. Finally, my port waist gun jammed. He saw this and pulled off to the left in order to make a run on my tail. Meanwhile, the gun had been fixed. I let him come in on the tail to about 200 yards, then turned toward him. This gave the port gunner a good shot. He then pulled up and away on a due North course, and I never saw him again.

3. It appears that at least 30 rounds of 50 cal. ammunition fired by Beck, went into the fuselage and tail of the plane. Also about the same number of 30 cal. ammunition fired by Pedelsky from the bow guns, went into the forward part of the plane. Our plane was adapted with electric continuous feed 50 cal. ammunition and twin 30 cal. guns in the bow. The advantages of this over the usual type of armament of the PBY are tremenduous.

4. The only hit on our plane was one 7.7 which entered the navigators compartment below the nav. Table. We obtained no hits with his tail cannon.

5. In order to enable the pilot to know at all times where the plane was, and also to avoid unnecessary noise on the interphone, a fire control man was stationed between the waist gunners. The information he was able to give the pilot was invaluable.

6. I wish to commend, highly, the entire crew for their extreme coolness and ability while under fire. They all kept their heads and did their jobs ably and efficiently.

7. The names of the crew members are as follows:

Ens. L. C. Drye - 2nd. Pilot in starboard seat
Pedelsky, V. F., AP2c - Bow gun
Grumbles, V. D., AMM2c - Plane Captain Fire control man
Lindquist, A. T. AMM3c - In tower
Eckstein, J. G., ARM1c - On duty at radio
Silvers, F. J., ARM3c - Assisting Eckstein
Gagnon, O. A., AM2c - Starboard 50 Cal. gun
Beck, F. J., AOM2c - Port 50 Cal. gun

Signed: P. W. Kimball, Jr., Lieut., A-V(N), USNR, VP-91[09JUN98]

HistoryA BIT OF HISTORY: "...Monday, February 1, 1943...About the middle of the morning of the sixth day a B-17, piloted by Captain Warren S. Wilkinson of Lincolnton, North Carolina, sighted us. He radioed, and two PBYs piloted by Lieutenants Feddern and Ogden of the United States Navy appeared on the scene..." "Adrift In The South Pacific or Six Nights In The Coral Sea" by Major Craig Seasholes (Boston-Walter H. Baker Company Publishers...Copyright 1950)

UPDATE "...Does anyone know anything about the photograph's (below) or know the descendants of any of the people involved? My Grandfather was the co-pilot of the B-17 that went down. The one with Twining onboard..." Contributed by Corey Hodges boeingb17ff@gmail.com [08DEC2008]

UPDATE "Pictures from Tom Jouganatos (one of the pilots on the rescue mission) collection..." Contributed by George B. Winter pbycat@bellsouth.net WEBSITE: http://www.vpnavy.com/winter.html Editor: "UP-FLOATS Newsletter(s)" [Updated ICQ # 17809169]

Left to Right:

    Actual Rescue, LT Feddern third from top right, LT(jg) Tom Jouganatos (second from left - top row), Pilot LT Ogden (right side - top row), Plane Captain Bill Brady (right - bottom row), LT Feddern shaking hands with General Twinning and General Twinning and survivors
VP-91 Rescue ThumbnailVP-91 Rescue ThumbnailVP-91 Rescue ThumbnailVP-91 Rescue ThumbnailVP-91 Rescue Thumbnail

HistoryA BIT OF HISTORY: "31JAN43--VP-91 RESCUE: Glen E. Hoffman SURVIVOR FROM VP-12: LT Roger M. Wolfe, LTjg Richard B. Evans, ENS. Gordon D. Gustafson, CAP Stanley I. Goetz, AMM1 Ernst R. Graul, AMM1 Edward G. Siebler, and Graves PBY-5A..." From Jim Sawruk files...Contributed by George B. Winter pbycat@bellsouth.net WEBSITE: http://www.vpnavy.com/winter.html [Updated ICQ # 17809169]


Circa 1942

HistoryA BIT OF HISTORY: "...Upfloats - VP-91 Cruisebook - Circa 1942 Lost in Action Crew 2 and 13 - Personal collection of SMYTH, AD1 Roger W..." Contributed by Contributed by Claudia Smyth Strock cjstrock@comcast.net [13NOV2013]

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HistoryA BIT OF HISTORY: "...Patrol Squadron NINETY-ONE (VP-91) - U. S. Action with Enemy on 22SEP42..." Official U. S. Navy Documention [02FEB2013]

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HistoryA BIT OF HISTORY: "...Op-40-A-KB - (SC)A6-4/VZ - January 6, 1942 - Location of U. S. Naval Aircraft..." WebSite: Naval Historical Center http://www.history.navy.mil/ [23SEP2006]

VP SQUADRONS MENTIONED

VP-11, VP-12 and VP-14

VP-23 and VP-24

VP-31, VP-32, VP-33 and VP-34

VP-41, VP-42, VP-43 and VP-44

VP-51, VP-52, VP-53 and VP-54

VP-61, VP-62, VP-63

VP-71, VP-72, VP-73 and VP-74

VP-81 and VP-83

VP-91, VP-92 and VP-94

VP-101

VP-201, VP-202, VP-203, VP-204, VP-205, VP-206, VP-207, VP-208, VP-209, VP-210, VP-211 and VP-212


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HistoryA BIT OF HISTORY: "...05OCT42 - PBY (VP-91) bombs and damages Japanese destroyer Terutsuki..." HyperWar WebSite: http://www.ibiblio.org/hyperwar/USN/USN-Chron/USN-Chron-1942.html [16SEP2005]

HistoryA BIT OF HISTORY: "...VP-91 rescue of General Nathan Farragut Twining (Chief-of-Staff of the Army Air Forces in the South Pacific in 1942-43). In January 1943, he was forced down at sea and was adrift at sea for six days. He was promoted to Major General in 1943 and commanded the 13th Air Force and in July became commander, Air Forces, Southwest Pacific. In 1944-45, he was Commanding General of the 15th Air Force in Italy and of the Allied Strategic Air Forces in the Mediterranean. He ended World War II as commander of the 20th Air Force. In 1953-57 he served as Chief of Staff of the Air Force and from 1957 to 1960 as Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff http://www.arlingtoncemetery.com/ntwining.htm. ..." Contributed by WINTER, George B. pbycat@bellsouth.net WEBSITE: http://www.vpnavy.com/winter.html Editor: "UP-FLOATS Newsletter(s)" [13MAR2003]
VP-91 History ThumbnailCameraVP-91 History
VP-91 History ThumbnailCameraVP-91 History

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

  • CNO Letter of Commendation
    01 Mar 95 – 31 Dec 97

  • Navy "E" Ribbon (Battle "E")
    01 Jan 84 – 31 Dec 84

  • Navy Unit Commendation
    15 Sep 42 – 01 Mar 43
    17 Jan 91 – 07 Feb 91

  • Southwest Asia Service Medal
    09 Feb 91 – 23 Feb 91

  • Coast Guard SOS Ribbon
    11 Feb 88 – 19 Feb 88

    HistoryA BIT OF HISTORY: VP-91 Thumbnail "...These pictures of the award ceremony are the only ones I have of the first tour. The only name I remember for sure is Lt. Atwell receiving the Navy Cross. I haven't looked at these pictures for more than 50 years. I know some of the pictures were taken aboard the USS Curtiss (AV-4) in late 1942 or early 1943..." Contributed by John C. McManus JNEMAC@aol.com via WINTER, George B. pbycat@bellsouth.net WEBSITE: http://www.vpnavy.com/winter.html [04APR2001]

    HistoryA BIT OF HISTORY: VP-91 Thumbnail "...These pictures of the award ceremony are the only ones I have of the first tour. The only name I remember for sure is Lt. Atwell receiving the Navy Cross. I haven't looked at these pictures for more than 50 years. I know some of the pictures were taken aboard the USS Curtiss (AV-4) in late 1942 or early 1943..." Contributed by John C. McManus JNEMAC@aol.com via WINTER, George B. pbycat@bellsouth.net WEBSITE: http://www.vpnavy.com/winter.html [04APR2001]

    HistoryA BIT OF HISTORY: VP-91 Thumbnail "...These pictures of the award ceremony are the only ones I have of the first tour. The only name I remember for sure is Lt. Atwell receiving the Navy Cross. I haven't looked at these pictures for more than 50 years. I know some of the pictures were taken aboard the USS Curtiss (AV-4) in late 1942 or early 1943..." Contributed by John C. McManus JNEMAC@aol.com via WINTER, George B. pbycat@bellsouth.net WEBSITE: http://www.vpnavy.com/winter.html [04APR2001]

    HistoryA BIT OF HISTORY: VP-91 Thumbnail "...These pictures of the award ceremony are the only ones I have of the first tour. The only name I remember for sure is Lt. Atwell receiving the Navy Cross. I haven't looked at these pictures for more than 50 years. I know some of the pictures were taken aboard the USS Curtiss (AV-4) in late 1942 or early 1943..." Contributed by John C. McManus JNEMAC@aol.com via WINTER, George B. pbycat@bellsouth.net WEBSITE: http://www.vpnavy.com/winter.html [04APR2001]

    HistoryA BIT OF HISTORY: VP-91 Thumbnail "...These pictures of the award ceremony are the only ones I have of the first tour. The only name I remember for sure is Lt. Atwell receiving the Navy Cross. I haven't looked at these pictures for more than 50 years. I know some of the pictures were taken aboard the USS Curtiss (AV-4) in late 1942 or early 1943..." Contributed by John C. McManus JNEMAC@aol.com via WINTER, George B. pbycat@bellsouth.net WEBSITE: http://www.vpnavy.com/winter.html [04APR2001]

    HistoryA BIT OF HISTORY: VP-91 Thumbnail "...These pictures of the award ceremony are the only ones I have of the first tour. The only name I remember for sure is Lt. Atwell receiving the Navy Cross. I haven't looked at these pictures for more than 50 years. I know some of the pictures were taken aboard the USS Curtiss (AV-4) in late 1942 or early 1943..." Contributed by John C. McManus JNEMAC@aol.com via WINTER, George B. pbycat@bellsouth.net WEBSITE: http://www.vpnavy.com/winter.html [04APR2001]

    HistoryA BIT OF HISTORY: VP-91 Thumbnail "...These pictures of the award ceremony are the only ones I have of the first tour. The only name I remember for sure is Lt. Atwell receiving the Navy Cross. I haven't looked at these pictures for more than 50 years. I know some of the pictures were taken aboard the USS Curtiss (AV-4) in late 1942 or early 1943..." Contributed by John C. McManus JNEMAC@aol.com via WINTER, George B. pbycat@bellsouth.net WEBSITE: http://www.vpnavy.com/winter.html [04APR2001]

    HistoryA BIT OF HISTORY: VP-91 Thumbnail "...These pictures of the award ceremony are the only ones I have of the first tour. The only name I remember for sure is Lt. Atwell receiving the Navy Cross. I haven't looked at these pictures for more than 50 years. I know some of the pictures were taken aboard the USS Curtiss (AV-4) in late 1942 or early 1943..." Contributed by John C. McManus JNEMAC@aol.com via WINTER, George B. pbycat@bellsouth.net WEBSITE: http://www.vpnavy.com/winter.html [04APR2001]

    HistoryA BIT OF HISTORY: VP-91 Thumbnail "...These pictures of the award ceremony are the only ones I have of the first tour. The only name I remember for sure is Lt. Atwell receiving the Navy Cross. I haven't looked at these pictures for more than 50 years. I know some of the pictures were taken aboard the USS Curtiss (AV-4) in late 1942 or early 1943..." Contributed by John C. McManus JNEMAC@aol.com via WINTER, George B. pbycat@bellsouth.net WEBSITE: http://www.vpnavy.com/winter.html [03APR2001]

    HistoryA BIT OF HISTORY: VP-91 Thumbnail "...These pictures of the award ceremony are the only ones I have of the first tour. The only name I remember for sure is Lt. Atwell receiving the Navy Cross. I haven't looked at these pictures for more than 50 years. I know some of the pictures were taken aboard the USS Curtiss (AV-4) in late 1942 or early 1943..." Contributed by John C. McManus JNEMAC@aol.com via WINTER, George B. pbycat@bellsouth.net WEBSITE: http://www.vpnavy.com/winter.html [03APR2001]

    HistoryA BIT OF HISTORY: VP-91 Thumbnail "...These pictures of the award ceremony are the only ones I have of the first tour. The only name I remember for sure is Lt. Atwell receiving the Navy Cross. I haven't looked at these pictures for more than 50 years. I know some of the pictures were taken aboard the USS Curtiss (AV-4) in late 1942 or early 1943..." Contributed by John C. McManus JNEMAC@aol.com via WINTER, George B. pbycat@bellsouth.net WEBSITE: http://www.vpnavy.com/winter.html [03APR2001]

    HistoryA BIT OF HISTORY: VP-91 Thumbnail "...These pictures of the award ceremony are the only ones I have of the first tour. The only name I remember for sure is Lt. Atwell receiving the Navy Cross. I haven't looked at these pictures for more than 50 years. I know some of the pictures were taken aboard the USS Curtiss (AV-4) in late 1942 or early 1943..." Contributed by John C. McManus JNEMAC@aol.com via WINTER, George B. pbycat@bellsouth.net WEBSITE: http://www.vpnavy.com/winter.html [03APR2001]

    HistoryA BIT OF HISTORY: "...When I read the VP-91 History 1941-1943 I realized I had some additional information. On October 23,1942 I was aboard 91-P-3. The crew was Lt(jg) Martin, PPC, Ens. Richey and CAP Long, pilots, and myself, Waite, McAloney, Grumbles and Tritica. The flight was 12.6 hrs and we spotted two Zero's and 11 ships in the enemy taskforce. We were fired at but there were enough clouds so we had no damage. I was also in the crew on October 15,1942 when NAP Bill Pugh was rescued. Lt. Teich was our PPC that day, in place of Lt(jg) Martin. The rest of the crew was the same. That was the day we found out that the bilge pump on the APU wasn't working because when they installed the hoses at the factory they had left the shipping plugs in the pumps. Several of the other planes were found in the same condition..." Contributed by John Mc Manus JNEMAC@aol.com [11MAR2001]

    HistoryA BIT OF HISTORY: "06JUN42--BATTLE OF MIDWAY-RESCUES PERFORMED BY PBYS (by Jim Sawruk) VP-91 PPC LT Samuel I. Ogden - rescued VMSB-241 CAPT Richard L. Blain, and PFC Gordon R. McFeely..." Contributed by George B. Winter pbycat@bellsouth.net WEBSITE: http://www.vpnavy.com/winter.html [Updated ICQ # 17809169]

    HistoryA BIT OF HISTORY: "11SEP42...Transfer of Patrol Wing ONE to South Pacific Area...allocated three patrol squadrons to the South Pacific Area. At the request of Commander Patrol Wing ONE, Commander, U. S. Naval Air Forces U. S. Pacific Fleet has designated Patrol Squadrons ELEVEN, SEVENTY-TWO, and NINETY-ONE as the squadrons assigned to Patrol Wing ONE and has allocated to Patrol Wing TWO all remaining squadrons in the Hawaiian Area..." Contributed by Bill Podbreger SAIL@D-WEB.NET

    HistoryA BIT OF HISTORY: "15OCT42--VP-91 RESCUE: PPC Richard J. Teich SURVIVOR FROM VP-91: AP1 Wilbur V. Pugh, VP-91 USN PBY-5..." From Jim Sawruk files...Contributed by George B. Winter pbycat@bellsouth.net WEBSITE: http://www.vpnavy.com/winter.html [Updated ICQ # 17809169]

    HistoryA BIT OF HISTORY: "16DEC42--A special test for refueling from a submarine then to continue on patrol covering sector 004-012.--argonaut later sunk, PPC ENS Frazier..." Contributed by George B. Winter pbycat@bellsouth.net WEBSITE: http://www.vpnavy.com/winter.html [Updated ICQ # 17809169]


    Circa 1941 - 1946

    HistoryA BIT OF HISTORY: Naval Historical Center, Department Of The Navy, Washington, D. C http://www.history.navy.mil/branches/dictvol2.htm [28APR2001]
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    Squadron History:  VPB-91

    Lineage

    Established as Patrol Squadron NINETY ONE (VP-91) on 1 December 1941.
    Redesignated Patrol Bombing Squadron NINETY ONE (VPB-91) on 1 October 1944.
    Disestablished on 2 April 1946.

    Squadron Insignia and Nickname

    A photograph on file for VP-91 in the Aviation History Branch squadron insignia archives showed what appeared to be a Disney-like Dumbo elephant, with outstretched ears, astride two bombs. The figure was in a circular patch with the squadron designation VP below the right ear, and 91 above it. Above and outside the design was the logo UP-FLOATS. Colors: background, dark blue; outlines and letters, gold. The reputed insignia tied in with one of the squadron’s primary missions in WWII, that of Dumbo missions to retrieve downed airmen. The squadron achieved a record on this score, retrieving 80 airmen from the water during two tours in the South Pacific. Unfortunately, no documentation survives to verify the authenticy of the insignia or its approval by CNO.

    Nickname: None on record.

    Chronology of Significant Events

    1 Dec 1941: VP-91 was established at NAS Norfolk, Va., under the operational control of PatWing-8, as a seaplane squadron flying the PBY-5 Catalina. On 15 December 1941, the squadron was relocated to Alameda, Calif. Upon arrival preparations were made for the transpac to Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, where VP-91 would be located to reinforce the patrol squadrons depleted by the Japanese attack.

    28 Feb 1942: VP-91 departed San Francisco, Calif., for Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, with the last aircraft arriving safely by 2 March 1942. Upon arrival the squadron came under the operational control of PatWing-1. VP-91 remained in the Hawaii area through early September flying local patrols under COMNAVAIR-BASEDEFENSE.

    4 Sep 1942: VP-91 began relocating south into the active war zone, arriving at Espiritu Santo, New Hebrides Islands, on 13 September 1942. Operations from this area were conducted while based aboard Mackinac (AVP 13) in the Segond Channel, under the operational control of FAW-1. On 2 November 1942, with the departure of Mackinac, the officers of the squadron were berthed aboard Curtiss (AV 4), while the enlisted personnel were berthed aboard Tangier (AV 8).

    27 Oct 1942: Lieutenant Melvin K. Atwell and crew were flying a night reconnaissance mission in the vicinity of the Solomon Islands when they spotted a large vessel 30 miles away. They determined that the dark outline of a large ship was moving in an easterly direction at high speed. Flying closer to investigate, the ship was seen to enter a low overcast and stop. Two passes at low altitude failed to identify the ship. Atwell climbed back to 1,500 feet and when two miles from the ship was bracketed by two bursts of AA fire. He immediately put the aircraft into a dive, releasing his four 500-pound bombs over the ship at 650 to 600 feet. Two bombs were seen to explode aft of the forward smokestack of the ship, which appeared to be an Aoba class heavy cruiser. The concussion of the explosions damaged the aircraft, which barely pulled out of the dive at 20 feet above the surface of the sea. Atwell chose not to linger in the vicinity of the warship, as he had developed several fuel leaks. As they headed for home base a large orange flash was seen in the distance in the vicinity of the target, followed by a larger explosion 10 minutes later. For his courageous single-handed attack on the enemy warship Lieutenant Atwell was awarded the Navy Cross.

    13 Nov 1942: Five of the squadron aircraft were flown to Vanikoro, supported by tender Mackinac (AVP 13) in Peon Bay. On 2 December 1942, Mackinac was relieved by Ballard (AVD 10), and returned to Espiritu Santo. The detachment of five aircraft and six crews remained with Ballard, flying sector searches from Vanikoro, while the seven aircraft remaining at Espiritu Santo aboard Mackinac flew sectors from that location.

    Mar 1943: VP-91 was relieved for return to the continental U.S. The squadron was reformed at NAS San Diego, Calif., under the operational control of FAW-14.

    9 Aug 1943: VP-91 conducted its transpac to Hawaii, with the last aircraft arriving safely at NAS Kaneohe on 18 August 1943. Here the squadron remained until 1 October 1943, when a detachment of six aircraft was sent to Johnson Island for antishipping patrols in support of the Task Force 14 raid on Wake Island from 5 to 6 October.

    29 Oct 1943: VP-91 began the deployment from NAS Kaneohe, Hawaii, in three-aircraft elements to Espiritu Santo. Upon arrival on 10 November 1943, the squadron came under the operational control of FAW-1, supported by tenders Wright (AV 1) and Chandeleur (AV 10). Three days later, a detachment of six aircraft was sent to Suva, Fiji. A second detachment of three aircraft was sent to Halavo Bay, leaving three aircraft and six crews to conduct sector patrols from Espiritu Santo. Crews and aircraft were rotated frequently between all three sites.

    1 Jan 1944: The Halavo Bay detachment was relieved, and the aircraft and crews redistributed with six PBYs at Suva, aboard Mackinac (AVP 13), and seven PBYs at Espiritu Santo, aboard Chandeleur (AV 10). Duties consisted primarily of convoy escort and aircraft maintenance.

    26 Mar 1944: VP-91 was relieved by VP-54, and dispatched to Tulagi Island, Halavo Bay Seaplane Base. Shortly after arrival, five aircraft were detached to Treasury Island, three aircraft were sent to Green Island, and two were sent to Emirau Island. Duties of the squadron at this time consisted primarily of air-sea rescue missions and miscellaneous utility work for Commander Air Northern Solomons. On 27 May 1944, the Treasury Island detachment of five aircraft was sent to Green Island to augment the three aircraft present, reverting to search sector and antishipping patrols. The augmented detachment was supported by tenders Coos Bay (AVP 25) and Chincoteague (AVP 24).

    15 Jun 1944: VP-91 was relieved at Green Island by VP-44. The eight aircraft of the detachment were flown to Halavo Bay Seaplane Base, where the squadron was reunited to prepare for transfer back to the continental U.S. VP-91 departed the combat zone on 21 July 1944 in elements of three aircraft, bound for NAS San Diego, Calif., via NAS Kaneohe, Hawaii.

    10 Sep 1944: VP-91 was reformed at NAS San Diego, Calif., under the operational control of FAW-14. While training of new personnel was underway, the squadron was redesignated VPB-91.

    15 Oct 1944: VPB-91 was relocated to NAS Corpus Christi, Tex., to learn how to process Naval Aviators and combat air crews through an advanced training course for combat replacement crews flying the PBM Mariner. On completion of the course on 13 December 1944, the squadron was transferred to NAS Whidbey Island, Wash., under the operational control of FAW-6. Here the squadron remained until the end of the war, training replacement crews.  

    2 Apr 1946: VP-91 was disestablished at NAS Whidbey Island, Wash.

     

    Home Port Assignments

    Location Date of Assignment
    NAS Norfolk, Va. 1 Dec 1941
    NAS Alameda 15 Dec 1941
    NAS Ford Island, Hawaii 2 Mar 1942
    NAS San Diego, Calif. Mar 1943
    NAS Kaneohe, Hawaii 18 Aug 1943
    NAS San Diego, Calif. Jul 1944
    NAS Corpus Christi, Tex. 15 Oct 1944
    NAS Whidbey Island, Wash. 13 Dec 1944

     

    Commanding Officers

    Name Date Assumed Command
    LCDR T. U. Sisson 1 Dec 1941
    LCDR Joe B. Paschal Jan 1942
    LCDR James O. Cobb Nov 1942
    LCDR E. L. Farrington 18 Apr 1943
    LT Edwin M. Grant 14 Sep 1944
    LT E. B. Thompson 13 Dec 1944
    LCDR V. V. Utgoff 21 Mar 1945
    LCDR Harold P. Gerdon 28 Jun 1945

     

    Aircraft Assignment

    Type of Aircraft Date Type First Received
    PBY-5 Dec 1942
    PBY-5A Dec 1944
    PBM-3S Oct 1944

     

    Major Overseas Deployments

    Date of Departure Date of Return Wing Base of  Operations Type of Aircraft Area of Operations
    28 Feb 1942 * FAW-2 Ford Island PBY-5 EastPac
    4 Sep 1942 * FAW-1 Espiritu Santo PBY-5 SoPac
    Mackinac (AVP 13)
    Curtiss (AV 4)
    Tangier (AV 8)
    2 Dec 1942 Mar 1943 FAW-1 Vanikoro PBY-5 SoPac
    Mackinac (AVP 13)
    Ballard (AVD 10)
    9 Aug 1943 * FAW-2 Kaneohe PBY-5 EastPac
    1 Oct 1943 * FAW-2 Johnson Isl. PBY-5 EastPac
    10 Nov 1943 * FAW-1 Espiritu Santo PBY-5 SoPac
    Wright (AV 1)
    Chandeleur (AV 10)
    Mackinac (AVP 13)
    Coos Bay (AVP 25)
    Chincoteague (AVP 24)
    26 Mar 1944 21 Jul 1944 FAW-1 Tulagi PBY-5 SoPac
    27 Mar 1944 † 27 May 1944 FAW-1 Treasury Isl. PBY-5 SoPac
    27 Mar 1944  15 Jun 1944 FAW-1 Emirau PBY-5 SoPac
    27 Mar 1944 † 15 Jun 1944 FAW-1 Green Island PBY-5 SoPac
    Coos Bay (AVP 25)
    Chincoteague (AVP 24)
    15 Jun 1944 21 Jul 1944 FAW-1 Halavo Bay PBY-5 SoPac

    * Continued combat deployment in the South Pacific, moving from base to base.
    † The squadron conducted split deployments to two or more sites on the same dates.

     

    Wing Assignments

    Wing Tail Code Assignment Date
    PatWing-8 1 Dec 1941
    PatWing-1/ FAW-1   ‡ 2 Mar 1942
    FAW-14 Mar 1943
    FAW-2 9 Aug 1943
    FAW-1 26 Oct 1943
    FAW-14 15 Feb 1944
    Naval Air Training Cmd. 23 Oct 1944
    FAW-6      1 Dec 1944

    ‡ Patrol Wings (PatWings) were redesignated Fleet Air Wings (FAWs) on 1 November 1942.

     

    Unit Awards Received

    Unit Award Inclusive Date Covering Unit Award
    NUC 15 Sep 1942 1 Mar 1943

    Circa 1941-1945

    HistoryA BIT OF HISTORY: "...History of FAW-9 - History from 00MAY41-00JAN45 Submitted June 19th, 1945. Squadron's Assigned: VP-31, VP-52, VP-81, VP-82, VP-91, VP-92, VP-93, VP-94, VP-128..." Official U. S. Navy Records (National Archives and Records Administration) via Fold3 http://www.fold3.com/ [02DEC2012]

    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 Thumbnail
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    Circa 1941

    HistoryA BIT OF HISTORY: "...A routine Dumbo resuce (contributed by George Moak) - April 25, 1944..." Contributed by Contributed by George B. Winter pbycat@bellsouth.net

    April 25, 1944

    "On April 25, 1944, VP-91 Flight Crew #9 flew a 6.0 hour Dumbo orbit assignmet from Treasury Island. The plane was a PBY5, Serial #08401. Pilots were PPC Lt. Jack McLaughlin, First Pilot Lt. (jg) Joseph Panetta and Second Pilot Ens. Chester Elick. Crew members were: Plane Captain ACCM Merlin Naylor, Second Mechanic AMM2/c George Weingartner, First Radioman ARM1/c L. L. Matysek, Second Radioman ARM2/c George Moak, First Gunner ACOM Handley Mayer, and Second Gunner AMM2/c J. E. Case."

    "The target of Marine SBD dive bombers was the large Japanese supply base of Rabaul on the island of New Britain. The bomber pilots knew that if their planes were disabled by Japanse gunfire, they would have a greater chance of being rescued by gliding to a landing on the surface of the sea or by parachuting into the water, thean by heading to an island where, if they survived, they would probably be taken prisoners."

    "As we were circling above St. George's Channel between the islands of New Britain and New Irelandwithin sight of Rabaul, we watched a crippled SBD crashland on the water beneath us."

    "PPC McLaughlin made a landing near the life raft. He shut off our port engine as we taxied up to the raft to avoid injuring the survivor with the whirling propellor. We lifted the SBD pilot into our PBY through the open port blister. He was not injured."

    "Up to this point, it had been a textbook operation. However, the starter failed and we were unable to take off with just one engine. Our PPC sent me up on the wing with a three foot long crank. I inserted the crank at the base of the engine nacelle. Overcoming the big engine's inertia was a slow process, but we rehearsed this scenario in training. With all my strength, I slowly turned the crank and each revolution became a bit faster. It seemed like an eternity, especially since there was a boat racing towards us from the shore about half a mile away. Mr. Mac grinned up at me from the pilot's side window and suddenly the engine came alive."

    "I was barefoot. I stepped on a metal protuberance on the wing surface, hurting my instep so much that my knee buckled. I tumbled off the trailing edge of the wing onto the top of the fuselage, but still kept my grip on the crank. One of the gunners helped me back through the port blister and we took off in the nick of time."

    "The resuced Marine had been flying his last mission and was scheduled to return to the states. His radioman/gunner had flown every mission with him and was also going back home. Both were wearing life jackets and jumped into the water after landing. The pilot asked the radioman if he was okay and the rply was yes. The pilot had only a few seconds to pop out the life raft and inflate it before the plane sank. He yelled to his radioman to get into the raft, but he disappeared."

    "The Marine was overcome with grief. Our navigator's drawer contained a flat pint of whisky to be opened in such rescue situations. A half cupful was offered to the flyer which he refused because he never used alcohol. So, all we could do was to assure him that he was now on the first leg of his journey back to his loved ones. We brought him to our Seaplane Tender, the U. S. S. Coos Bay at Treasury Island. The remarks column in my flight log book does not mention his name or rank. We never saw him again."

    UPDATE "...I read the account of Dumbo and the rescue of C. R. Munsey ARM2c and Ens Mike Harbushka on the VP-91 Up-float Stories Summary Page on the internet just now. I was especially interested because it seems that my father has an account of this incident in his flying log book – he was then in the RNZAF and was in one of the two New Zealand Venturas involved in the rescue. His log book account reads as follows..." Contributed by Grant O’Sullivan daddio@vodafone.co.nz [27APR2015]

    Date: 14 April 1944
    Operations from Munda.
    Bombed and Strafed.
    Nauma – Nauma Area.
    Observed Allied PV.1. shot down off Ballale.
    Dropped dinghy and parachute. Sent PSN to base.
    PBY “Dumbo” picked up PV.1. crew under heavy shell fire. – photos taken – FLAK about us.
    Pretty – Wild +; Landed Stirling Field.

    There are three photos attached in Dad’s logbook along with a couple of newspaper clippings. I found one of the clippings on the internet – here is the link for your information. http://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/

    History ThumbnailCameraNew Zealand Herald, Volume 81, Issue 24877, 26 April 1944, Page 4

    HistoryA BIT OF HISTORY: "...Hearings Before The Joint Committee On The Investigation Of The Pearl Harbor Attack - Congress Of The United States - Seventy-Ninth Congress...Squadrons mentioned: VP-11, VP-13, VP-14, VP-21, VP-22, VP-23, VP-24, VP-31, VP-32, VP-41, VP-42, VP-43, VP-44, VP-51, VP-52, VP-71, VP-72, VP-73, VP-74, VP-81, VP-82, VP-83, VP-84, VP-91, VP-92, VP-93, VP-94, VP-101, VP-102, CPW-1, CPW-2, CPW-3, CPW-4, CPW-5, CPW-7, CPW-8 and CPW-9..." WebSite: The public's library and digital archive http://www.ibiblio.org/pha/pha/misc/rainbow5.html [01APR2005]
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