Information recounted here was obtained from the VPB-118 book, "The Old Crows, VPB-118, The History of Navy Patrol Bombing Squadron 118." Most of the crew names were compiled by James Pettit. Crew photo courtesy James Pettit of VPB-118.
There currently is no photo for this crew. Please contact this site if you are able to supply a crew photo. You can just email it to me right away if you want. The higher the resolution, the better.
Lt. John L. Burge (PPC), Ens. Edward A. Elzinga (co-pilot), Ens. Ciro J. R. Napolitano (co-pilot), Clyde L. Vinton AMM1c (plane captain/forward top turret), Russell L. Mandanici AMM2c (2nd mechanic/port waist turret), William M. Kimberly AMM3c (3rd mechanic/tail turret), Arlo E. Walton AMM3c (4th mechanic/aft top turret), Cleveland L. Hancock ARM2c (1st radio), Merritt E. Messersmite ARM2c (2nd radio/forward top turret), Lawrence W. Jones ARM3c (3rd radio), Angelo A. Papa AMO1c(T) (1st ordnanceman/bow turret), Walter M. Milton AOM2c (2nd ordnanceman/bow turret)
The Burge crew arrived around 8/3/1945 as a relief crew.