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US Navy Pilot Photo Album VC-38


babaou
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Hi everybody,

This is my first post and I hope you will enjoy it. Here are some photos of one of my favourite albums in my collection.

This album belonged to a Dauntless (SBD dive bomber) who fought in Solomon islands area in 1943/44. He was first based at Munda in New Georgia and then at Cape Torokina on Bougainville island. His unit was the VC-38: a composite group ground based flying Hellcats, Dauntless and Avengers.

Enough words, let the photos talk !!

The photos of the pilot and his radio-gunner shows them wearing .45 Automatic pistols as Navy pilots are known to wear .38 revolvers...

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Here is a general view of Munda airbase which was taken to the Japanese.

The other photo shows the SBD Operations barracks where the crews spent most of their time waiting for the missions

and the last photo shows two pilots dressed in "Munda style" posing in front the pilots mess in Munda: "The Maudie's Mansion"

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Sorry for the mix with the photos, I know now how they are transfered.

The first one shows some pilots in front of a plane of the VC-38 at Munda,

The second one shows a Fidjian scouts unit cleaning the japanese airfield on Kolombangara island.

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I made another mistake transfering the photos

The precedent set shows a Dauntless in flight during photo-reco mission on Bougainville island. Note the size of the camera at the rear of the cockpit.

Here are the pilots in front of a plane of the unit in Munda

Other photo shows the planes back from a bombing mission in july 1943

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To end with this album

Here are some crewmembers ending a briefing in Bougainville and the men of the unit in front of the hut of the unit in Bougainville.

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Hi,

I'm working on a book about US navy aviators... the album about the VC-38 will make one of the main chapters. I show you some interesting photos and you can trust me there are more !

Best regards

Greg

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Charlie Flick

Greg:

 

A marvelous collection of photos. I will look forward to seeing your book. Thanks for posting these.

 

Regards,

Charlie Flick

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Hi,

I'm working on a book about US navy aviators... the album about the VC-38 will make one of the main chapters. I show you some interesting photos and you can trust me there are more !

Best regards

Greg

Wow! Im also looking forward to see new book about Naval Aviators and hope it will be much better than J. Werner book about this subject... the Naval Aviation is a very hard subject to describe correct with correct gear, survival stuff etc. for time period!

 

The best regards,

Jerry K.

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Hi Jerry,

I don't know if you see my 2 first books titled "8th Air Force" and "9th Air Force", but the book about USN/USMC will be on the same type, using personal photo albums and groupings, with reconstructions in colors and plane profiles.

One album, one man = one chapter

That's the way I work and you can trust me, the result appears to be good.

I am totally conscient that Navy fliers is a hard subject. Everybody thinks to know as items are very close with USAAF, but they are very different.

I will not make a book as Warner did. I will not make a catalog, but just try to show some complete reconstructions using original period photos.

I think you won't discover new things, but all the photos are exceptional and totally never published.

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Hi Jerry,

I don't know if you see my 2 first books titled "8th Air Force" and "9th Air Force", but the book about USN/USMC will be on the same type, using personal photo albums and groupings, with reconstructions in colors and plane profiles.

One album, one man = one chapter

That's the way I work and you can trust me, the result appears to be good.

I am totally conscient that Navy fliers is a hard subject. Everybody thinks to know as items are very close with USAAF, but they are very different.

I will not make a book as Warner did. I will not make a catalog, but just try to show some complete reconstructions using original period photos.

I think you won't discover new things, but all the photos are exceptional and totally never published.

 

 

P.M sent :) !

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Hi Greg,

Welcome to the Forum and thanks for sharing that great album. I look forward to your future contributions and your forthcoming book. I know it will be a "must have" addition to the reference library.

Best regards, Paul

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  • 2 years later...

Hi Babaou,

I am so glad I came across this posting. I just finished a history on my Uncle Lt. William R Larson, a TBF pilot of VC38 during 1943. I have the same score card and photos of the VC38 air group. I've completed a history of VC38 and have made contact with the son of Richard Wagner, my uncle's radioman in their TBF plane. His son has his war diary and photos of the squadron and tents in Munda Air Field. I'd really like to share photos of this unit and the history I have assembled - a total of nine Distinguished Flying Crosses were awarded to the TBF pilots following a skip bombing raid on Keravia Bay, Rabaul on February 17, 1944. The additional photos you may have of VC38 will complete the history. Here's a sampling of the story:

Tribute to VC38

Copyright 2013 by Donald J. Larson




Lt. William R. (Lucky) Larson and his VC38 Squadron were part of the Solomon Air Offensive that began after the Naval Battle of Guadalcanal of November 13, 1942. VC38 flew missions with other Naval squadrons and U.S. Marine Fighting Squadrons & Scout-Bombing Squadrons throughout September, October, November, and December 1943, mercilessly pounding the Japanese airfields of Kahili, Kara, Buka, and Ballale, including Japanese supply areas of Tarlena & Kieta, Bougainville. Initially these bombing missions were large scale assaults including up to 126 aircrafts; consisting of TBFs, SBDs, and Hellcat fighter planes in a single attack. VC38 worked off both land-based air fields (Espiritu Santo, Guadalcanal, and Munda) and carrier-based operations (USS Breton & USS Saratoga), however the majority of Lucky’s time was bombing operations based out of Munda airfield.
The invasion of Bougainville (Bougainville Campaign) began on November 1, 1943 when the U.S. Marines (3d Marine Division and two attached Marine Raider battalions) landed on Cape Torokina, in central Bougainville’s Empress Augusta Bay. Lucky and VC38 actually bombed the Japanese troops fighting the marines on November 14th and 20th, 1943 by dropping 100# bombs near the Japanese positions. Success at Bougainville setup the U.S. forces to finally reach the Japanese stronghold of Rabaul on the Island of New Britain.
Rabaul was the Japanese fortress of military power, which included a harbor and five airfields. The march up the Solomons chain, starting at Guadalcanal to now Bougainville airfield (Piva airfield), allowed Allied fighter aircraft to final reach Rabaul within their operational range. VC38 Squadron’s heroic actions during the Bougainville and the New Britain campaign’s from October 1943 to March of 1944 culminated in a Scorecard of 112 aerial missions, 3 night missions, & 37 Japanese victories, with over 30 enemy ships sunk or damaged.
By all accounts, the TBF attack on Keravia Bay - Rabaul, on February 17, 1944 was astonishing. Several of the TBF pilots of VC38, under a curtain of anti-aircraft maching gun fire, flew low on the water to “skip bomb” several key targets. These heroic tactics resulted in several Japanese ships being damaged or sunk; including a battleship, transport ship, and patrol vessel. The CONAIRSOLS STRIKE COMMAND TBF INTELLIGENCE REPORT for February 17, 1943 vividly details this event (included below & in Appendix D). I have been able to account for nine awards of the Distinguished Flying Cross to members of VC38 TBF squadron during this dive bombing attack, though there maybe more. The list includes the following aviation officers:
· Cmdr. Charles E. Brunton – D.F.C
· Lt. Jack P. Scholfield – D.F.C
· Lt. Graham Tahler – D.F. C.
· Lt. Robert B. Giblin – D.F.C
· Lt. John A Leary – D.F.C.
· Lt. Robert F Regan – D.F.C.
· Lt. Arthur McDonald – D.F.C.
· Lt. Robert H. Behn – D.F.C.
· Lt. Bruce C. Bishop – D.F.C.

Following the return of VC38 to the west coast, several members continued in the naval service and had distinguished careers. These include the following:
· Cmdr. Charles E. Brunton – Rear Admiral
· Lt. Graham Tahler – Rear Admiral
· Lt. Robert B. Giblin – Commander of USS Lexington
· Captain Robert F. Regan – Command of NAS Corpus Christie (3 time D.F.C. recipient)
· Lt. Thomas Milton Gammage – D.F.C. as Section Leader of VT-47 (July 1945) at Honshu Island, Japan.

Several members of VC38 also had distinguished legal careers, including the following:
· Lt. John A Leary – Judge of New York State
· Lt. Jack P Scholfield – Judge of Washington State

This list is likely incomplete, as my research was limited. Based on Richard (Wag) Wagner’s War Diary, VC38 was disbanded in June of 1945. VC38 was one unit and one tour that contributed to the end of World War II within the Pacific Theater of War. By all accounts, they performed tremendously.

INTELLIGENCE REPORT – STRUCK 17 FEBRUARY, 1944

CONFIDENTIAL TBF INTELLIGENCE CONFIDENTIAL

Target: Shipping in Keravia Bay
Mission: Bomb and strafe.
Flight Leader: Commander C.E. Brunton
Squadrons: VC-38 (12), VMTB -134 (6), VMTB-143 (3), VMTB 233 (3)
Planes: Ordered for mission: 24 TBF’s
Actually dropped bombs: 22 TBF’s. (1 plane did not take off, and 1 plane returned with hung bomb).
Other A/Coordinating: 48 SBD’s and 76 VF
Damage to own A/C: Plane #101 – 20 MM in starboard wing, M/G bullets in port wing, 50 calibre in fuselage 2 feet aft of turret, numerous shrapnel and bullet holes in fuselage.
Plane #232: Hydraulic system knocked out by AA (probably shrapnel). 20 MM hole in cockpit next to pilot’s seat. Shrapnel holes in port and starboard wings and center section of flaps.
Plane #213: Bullet holes in starboard wing.
Plane #114: Hit in engine by M/G.
Personnel Casualties: Commander C.E. Brunton in plane #101 was hit by AA (probably 20MM) from 240’ DD just prior to releasing his bomb which scored a direct hit on it. He received a compound fracture of the right ulna with severance of the right ulna nerve and multiple lacerations, lateral aspect of right thigh.
Ammunition Expended: 50 calibre – 2375 rounds
30 calibre – 2200 rounds
Attack Tactics: High speed approach at 13000’ across Blancho Bay down to push over at 8,000’ for attack at masthead level. The formation turned S. and approached Keravia Bay through the depression W. of Vulcan Crater released at mast head level and retired over the water toward Raluana Point. Rally 5 miles E. of Cape Gazelle, route back direct to base. Ships and barges were strafed by both fixed and free guns.
Note – Photos taken after the strike showed one medium and three small AK missing, and it is presumed that they were sunk. The results of the forward firing rockets are the subject of a separate report.
Summary of Results: 5 confirmed direct hits on the 475’ Eiyo Maru N. Keravia Bay; photographic coverage showed that it has been damaged again and was seeping oil. Damage to shipping in NW Keravia Bay was reported as follows:
1. 2 confirmed direct hits and 1 u/o on a 300’ AK which photograph showed to be missing from harbor subsequently.
2. 1 confirmed direct on 175’ PC. Photograph showed damage and oil slick
3. 1 confirmed direct hit on another 300’ AK.
4. 2 near misses and 1 u/o on 265 AK.
5. 3 confirmed direct hits and 2 u/o on 400’ AO.
In W Keravia Bay, 1 confirmed direct hit on 240’ DD. The stern was observed to be lifted high out of the water by the explosion of the bomb, and a later photograph showed it lying with its stern underwater.
In SW Keravia Bay, 1 near miss on 175’ PC.
In SE Keravia Bay, 1 near miss and 1 u/o on 175’ AK.
Weather: Route up: Squalls and scattered clouds 2000’-9000’
O.T.: Clear, Ceiling 13000’
Route Back: 8/10 clouds with base 1500’ scattered squalls.
Observations: 1. Enemy Shipping:
A. 1 AK (300’) and 2 large SS N. of Vulcan Crater.
B. 20-30 large and small barges near shore S. Keravia Bay.
C. One barge underway in Blanco Channel, thoroughly strafed by several planes.
D. Keravia Bay (See Summary of Results supra).
2.Enemy ground activity: AA, shipping and barrage balloons from 3 vessels N of Vulcan Crater
3. Condition of targets before and after attack: Smoke from damaged AK’s and explosion at stern of DD after hits.
4. Results of coordinated attack: Not observed
5. Unusual circumstances: Many small parachutes observed over Keravia Bay, possibly shot up or released for AA purposes.
6. Anti-Aircraft:
A. SW/Vulcan Crater, known heavy (2x4.7 navel guns), moderate, inaccurate.
B. S Matupi Island, known heavy and light, moderate, inaccurate.
C. W of Matupi Crater, known auto, moderate, inaccurate.
D. W of Vulcan Crater, know auto (20MM), intense, inaccurate.
E. W and S shore Keravia Bay, know light auto and M/G, moderate, inaccurate.
F. Cove S of Vulcan Crater, known light auto and M/G, moderate, inaccurate.
G. Lakunni: known light and heavy, intense, accurate.
H. From ships in Keravia Bay, (especially PC and DD), auto and M/G, intense, accurate
I. Shore SW of Lakunai Airfield, known auto, moderate, inaccurate.
J. S of Raluana Point, M/G, intense, accurate.


7. Miscellaneous: 1 F4U was observed to crash in Simpson Harbor W of Matupi Island.


James N. Truesdale, Lt. USNR.
A.C.I.O. VC38,
DUTY INTELLIGENCE OFFICER
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
Plane No. Pilot Passenger Remarks

101 Brunton Wagner, Kemp Hit on DD%5B1%5D
103 Scholfield Ulrich, Dills Hit on AK
104 Giblin Lee, Perkins Hit on AK
105 Draughon Doal, Paul u/o on AO
108 Regan Misner, Brandt Hit on AK
109 Leake Boyle, O’Daniel Effective miss on PC
100 Bishop Schramm, Barnes Hit on PC
102 McDonald Blank, Young Hit on AO
106 Tahler Bius, Brewer Hit on AO
107 Behn Dill, Farber Hit on AK
215 Leary Greslie, Dale Effective miss on AK
119 Gammage Durham, Morrissey Hit on AO

202 Glenn Sticksel, Whitcannank Effective miss on AK
206 Ranson Fisher, Mac Adam Did not strike
207 Philbin Blazie,Williams Hit on AK
209 Turner Lochridge, Farris Did not strike
213 Richardson Wilson, Lane Effective miss on AK
211 Wright Adams, Brunson Did not strike
230 Robertson Dumelle, Ballard Hit on AK
231 Boll Bruzuskowicz, Hickman u/o on AK
232 Lemmons Sutton, Boecher u/o on AK
235 May Hull, McKenna u/o of AK
236 Ball Berryman, Kane u/o of AK

5 Phillips F.G. Drolsbaugh, Hobbs Hit on AO
12 Berdel Enterline,Calvert u/o on AO
8 Takacs Hull, Isam Hit on AO
121 Tulis Crawford, Levino Did not attack
4 Bauder Kearns, DeRouch Did not attack
126 Morris R.D. McGee, Hundrichs Did not attack



Attack Japanese Shipping Fleet at Keravia Bay – Rabaul - February 17, 1944 (Source: W.Warner)















VC38 1943 Aboard the U.S.S. Breton







 

Air Group 38 – Bougainville-New Britain

(June 1943 until April 1944)

3 night missions

112 missions

37 Japanese victories

1 Japanese Destroyer sunk

4 transport/merchantmen ships sunk

17 landing barges sunk

2 damaged fuel oil tanker ships

5 other merchantmen vessels sunk

2 floating dry docks sunk


VF-38
F6F pilots
Lt. L.D. Cooke
Lt. N.A. Westgard
Lt. H. T. Kirk
Lt. T. M. Purcell
Lt. W. H. Maness
Lt(jg) L. .H. Englade+
Lt(jg) A. .J. Kostrzwsky
Lt(jg) R. W. Moore
Lt(jg) L. B. Cornell
Lt(jg) C. W. Hagans
Lt (jg) W. T. McNeil
Lt(jg) C. A. Gartrell
Lt(jg) W. C. Kelly
Lt(jg) P. Beaumont
Lt(jg) R. M. Telfair
Lt(jg) A. B. Thompson
Lt(jg) C. K. Spaulding
Lt(jg) L. M. Kelly
Lt(jg) W. C. Presley+
Ens W. M. McMahon
Ens J. H. Hughens

VB-38
SBD pilots / gunners
Lt. B. Tappan / gunner D. W. Nunan
Lt. W. E. Woodman / gunner J. S. Landess
Lt(jg) D. Bagley / gunner W. J. Holden
Lt(jg) C. G. Knowles / A. P. Burgett
Lt(jg) J. Nason+/ gunner T. E. Furlong+ (Nason was P.O.W.)
Lt(jg) S. H. Reed / gunner J. Ligman
Lt(jg) T. P. Kelly / gunner D. W. Kent
Lt(jg) J. W. Marshall / gunner G. C. Earnest
Lt(jg) W. Zelenski / gunner C. R. Payne
Lt(jg) R. H. Singleton / gunner C. J. Leman
Lt(jg) S. Onley / gunner A. L. Block
Lt(jg) B. M. Robinson / gunner P. E. Thatcher
Lt(jg) W. C. Hancock / gunner T. W. Smith
Ens W. P. Cawley / gunner E. T. Martin
Ens J. G. Shirley / gunner W. G. Metzger
Ens R. H. Sewell / gunner R. E. Emerson
Ens E. H. Meyee / gunner C. G. Williams

SBD Spare
H. M. Stone
J. E. Sorenson
E. B. Smith
J. F. McKenna


VT-38
TBF pilot / radioman / gunner
Cdr. C. E. Brunton / radioman H. W. Sunday / gunner M. D. Kemper
Lt. W. R. Larson+ / radioman R. C. Wagner / gunner B. W. Wright
Lt(jg) R. A. Marshall / radioman L. L. Lane / gunner D. Tye
Lt(jg) B. C. Bishop / radioman R. E. Schramm / gunner E. C. Barnes
Lt(jg) R. B. Giblin / radioman J. J. Lee / gunner R. L. Perkins
Lt(jg) H. T. Leake+ / radioman V. E. Boyle / gunner R. R. O’Daniel
Lt(jg) R. F. Regan / radioman W. J. Misnee / gunner C. E. Brandt
Lt(jg) J. A. Leary / radioman D. R. Greslie / gunner L. E. Dale
Lt(jg) G. A. Phillippi / radioman A E. Bond / gunner W. G. Tyler
Lt(jg) J. P. Scholfield / radioman J. V. Ulrich / gunner F. J. Dills
Lt(jg) G. Tahler / radioman R. P. Buis / gunner E. E. Brewer
Lt(jg) H. Wilson+ / radioman W. M. Haller / gunner L. F. Wilson
Ens R. H. Behn / radioman M. M. Farber / gunner C. F. Dill
Ens T. M. Gammage / radioman R. Durham / gunner H. A. Morrissey
Ens A. McDonald / radioman W. F. Blank / gunner A. Z. Young
Ens A. E. Droughon / radioman J. H. Deal / gunner R. A. Paul


TBF Spares
J. D. Jeffreys
S. Barcala+
W. E. Dunton+
T. E. Fotusky
T. W. Fairchild
W. L Rice

Intelligence
Lt. H. O. Brooks
Lt(jg) W. G. Keil
Lt. J. N. Truesdale


Medical
Lt. B. B. Rodger – Flight Surgeon
Ens A Robins
Lt M.C. J.T. Pitkins
Ens L. Perkins


Ground Crew
R. W. Bird
R. J. Sampson
L. E. Jacobson
R. B. Martin
G. W. Newman
J. D. Spahr
D. E. Sheiman
W. W. Schwartz
W. D. Gannon
J. V. McCarthy
A. O. Alexander
R. E. Tuck
A. Buganich
E. H. Dawe
C. A. Lay
J. W. Mitchell
D. D. Nicholson
J. P. Haggerty
B. A. Schmid
J. W. Adams
J. S. Yeglic
R. L. Christy
J. J. Curless
R. E. Cipher
A. L. Gifford
F. A. Gilman
C. R. Hart
T. A. Helms
H. L. Holm
W. Holt
C. A. Huff
P. A. Pesano
J. S. Porter
R. B. Scanlan
C. R. Stephens
W. V. Whitehouse
C. C. Wilcox
F. N. Wojinski
A. R. Booth

(+) Indicates missing or killed

Source: http://forum.12oclockhigh.net/showthread.php?t=20083



A total of eight men of Air Group 38 are listed on their Scorecard as missing or killed. Their stories include the following:
Lt. Wayne C. Presley (VF-38)
On Septemer 16, 1943, Presley took off from Munda Airfield in his F6F-3 Hellcat fighter, as part of the escort for 24 TBFs and 31 SBDs attacking Ballale Island. The escort consisted of 13 Hellcats from VF-38 and 11 Hellcats from VF-40, in addition to other F6F, F4U, P-40, & P-38’s making up a total of 71 escorting fighters. Over the target, 40-50 intercepting Zeros and Tonys were met, and heavy anti-aircraft cover was encountered over the target. Presley and his Hellcat (Bureau Number 25940) was observed to crash in the sea and is listed as MIA. Lt. Presley was declared dead on January 9, 1946. Lt. Presley was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross, Air Medal with Gold Star, and Purple Heart (posthumously).
Radioman Richard Wagner’s War Diary:
Today I went on my first strike against the Japs. It was the Island of Ballale just a few miles from Bougainville. Ballale is a small island with a bomb strip covering almost the entire island. There was lots of heavy AA%5B2%5D and zeros. One Zero started a move on us but a P39 shot him down before he got a good start. During the three day attack on Ballale we lost two TBFs and three F6Fs. Two of the fighter pilots were picked up but the others were not. We shot down 50 zeros. – September 15, 1943 entry



Lt. Joseph G. Nason & gunner Thomas E. Furlong (VB-38 SBD plane)
On Octobe 23, 1943, pilot Joseph Nason and gunner Thomas Furlong, Jr., took off from Munda Airfield on a diving bomb mission to Bouganville. While dive bombing an anti-aircraft position near Keita Airfield, the plane was hit by anti-aircraft fire and caught fire. Nason bailed out virtually over Keita Airfield. His gunner Furlong was not seen to escape the stricken SBD aircraft and was presumed to have been killed when it crashed.
Lt Nason was captured by the Japanese and became a POW. Nason survived the war and was one of only a handful of POWs that were liberated by Australians when Japan surrendered in September 1945. Nason passed away on October 12, 2012. He wrote a book about his history as a POW. Horio You Next Die! by Joseph Nason. The story of Joe Nason is available for view at http://vimeo.com/65439421

Radioman Richard Wagner’s War Diary:
Strike Kahili – one SBD shot down. Nason & Furlong – parachute both dead. – October 1943 note entry in Aviator’s Flight Log Book.

Lt. Harry W. Wilson (TBF pilot VT-38)
On October 28, 1943, Lt. Wilson%5B3%5D crashed on take off at 0619 and was killed. Minor injuries were sustained by W.M. Haller (Radioman) and L.E. Wilson (Turret Man). The Bureau Number for Wilson’s TBF plane was 06118. 19 TBFs were on a bombing and strafing mission of Kara Airfield and anti-aircraft positions on that day.
Radioman Richard Wagner’s War Diary:
Attack Kara on Bougainville. It was a bad day from the start. Lt. Wilson was killed on the takeoff. Jeffrey got hit in the back by a 20mm. Very little heavy AA but a lot of small stuff. – October 28, 1943 entry.

Lt. Herbert T. Leaky (VT-38), S. Barcala (VT-38), & W.E. Dunton (VT-38)
On February 20, 1944, Lt. Leake, S. Barcala, and W.E. Dunton are missing in action as result of crash of plane #103 during a bomb and strafe mission on bridges and AA installations at the Monottu Mission area. %5B4%5DPlane #103 was loaded with 1x2000# 1/10 second delay bomb and was seen to make steep dive from 3000-feet and to pull out (after release) at approximately 500-feet. Just after the plane levelled off with approximate speed of 200k one half of the starboard wing came off, probably as a result of the bomb blast, and the plane flipped over on its back and crashed in the jungle in the Monoitu Mission area.
Radioman Richard Wagner’s War Diary:
Attack ground positions just a few miles south of our camp. Our target was a bridge so the Japs couldn’t move heavy art {artillery} up this way. We missed the bridge. Leake went in just as he was pulling out of his glide. Dunton was gunner, and Barcalla Radioman. – February 20, 1944 entry

Lt. Larry Henry Englade (VF-38 F6F Hellcat Pilot)
Lt. Englade, USNR Service Number 117107, was lost February 29, 1944. As a fighter plane pilot during the occupation of Attu Island, he repeately executed strafing and glide bombing missions at extremely low altitudes while being subjected to heavy antiaircraft fire. Lt. Englade was awared the Air Medal.
Prior to missing in action, Lt. Englade%5B5%5D survived ditching his Hellcat fighter in the ocean on November 3, 1943. Pour weather prevailed all day that day with the regularly scheduled patrols to Bougainville. Lt. L.H. Englade of VF38, got lost over Treasury Island was still missing at the end of the day, last having been heard from when he radioed that he was out of gasoline and was preparing to make a water landing at 1800. On November 6, 1943, Lt. Englade was picked up by natives on Ugi Island after making a forced water landing, and was subsequently rescued by Lt. Carten of VS68, and returned to USNB Segi (Segi Airfield, New Georgia Island).





%5B1%5D Naval Abbreviations: DD = Destroyer AK = Cargo Ship/Barge AO = Oiler or Fuel Oil Tanker Ship PC = Patrol Vessel


%5B2%5D AA stands for anti-aircraft fire


%5B3%5D Confidential Commander Aircraft Solomons Strike Command Intelligence Section report, dated October 28, 1943 by Captain Myron Sulzberger, USMCR, VMTB-143, Intelligence Duty Officer.


%5B4%5D Confidential COMAIRSOLS Strike Command TBF Intelligence report, dated February 20, 1944 by Lt. James N. Truesdale, VC38 Intelligence Duty Officer


%5B5%5D Declassified United States Naval Base – Segi – War Diary, 1 November 1943 – 7 November 1943.

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Here a few pictures of Lt. William R. Larson (Lucky) and VC38

 

the first two are Lucky training on his TBF at Otay Mesa right when VGS-21 was turned into VC38 (June 21, 1943).post-145352-0-51559700-1385767032.jpg

post-145352-0-14087900-1385767022.jpg

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Additional photos of VC38

 

William's Lt. Portrait and smaller VC38 group picture on USS Long Island (on way to Espiritu Santo).

 

Source of VC38 group picture: W. Wagner

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Guadalcanal Picture:

 

Turret Gunner Benjamin Wynn Wright, Pilot Lt. William R. Larson, and Radioman Richard (Wag) Clayton Wagner on the wing of a TBF - November 25 1943

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Last picture post for now - Lt. William R. Larson's WW2 Medals received by his family after his disappearance on December 27, 1944.

post-145352-0-22215400-1385768101.jpg

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