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.
(front row, L to R) C. B. Mead (AOM2c), W. E. Grammel (AOM3c), J. H. McCreary (ARM/S1c/gunner), H. C. Walkup (ARM3c), J. D. Moore (ARM3c/gunner)
(Back row, L to R) R. H. Kopp (AMM3c), H. G. Smith (AMM1c/crew chief), Ens. P. D. Monti (co-pilot/navigator), Lt. (jg), J. Dooley (PPC), Ens. E. H. May (co-pilot), R. L. Dumais (ARM1c), F. B. “Flip” Tyler (ARM2c)
On May 20, 1945 the Dooley Crew replaced Crew 3, Lt. Lasater PPC, which went Missing In Action May 6, 1945. Thanks to Joe Moore, we have the crew photo as of spring, 2016. Thanks, Joe!
“July 4th 1945 Convoy sighted 2 destroyer escorts 5 merchant ships”
“Off island of Truk We exchanged fire & dropped bomb on this ship”
“Off island of Truk We exchanged fire & dropped bomb on this ship”
“Off island of Truk Phosporous bomb dropped from Japanese plane, evasive action saved plane & crew”
“Japanese ‘Zero’ plane (dropped phosphorous bomb) Isle of Truk”
“Japanese ‘Zero’ plane (dropped phosphorous bomb) Isle of Truk” [enlargement]
“Menu Thanksgiving Day 1945 on troop transport going home”
“Open shutter camera Took this photo on night of Japanese surrender”