Crew 99, U.S. Navy PB4Y-2 "Privateer" Patrol Bomber Squadron VPB-118

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.

The Rinehart crew. Thanks to Rogers Fiedler for providing photo and his daughter Jeri Frye for her assistance.

PPC Lt. Cmdr. C. W. Rinehart, Squadron CO

The Rinehart relief crew of VPB-118 consisted of:

Lt. Cmdr. C. W. Rinehart (PPC/squadron CO), Ens. Joseph B. Ambler (co-pilot), Ens. Edward M. Brodhead (co-pilot), Leobard A. Verbeck AMM1c (plane captain/forward top turret), Cecil R. Gillespie AMM2c (2nd mechanic/aft top turret), Rogers A. Fiedler AMM3c (3rd mechanic/port waist turret), Harold G. Coker ARM2c (radio), Edgar M. Mattson ARM1c (RCM), Joseph A. Ryner ARM3c (3rd radio/tail turret), James R. Harvill, Jr. AOM1c (1st ordnanceman/rover), Walter J. Kentner AOM2c (2nd ordnanceman/bow turret), Milton R. Cooper S1c(AOM) (3rd ordnanceman/starboard waist turret)

The Rinehart crew relieved Crew 7 (Lt. Cmdr. Farwell, PPC) on 7/21/1945 and Lt. Cmdr. Rinehart became squadron commanding officer at the same time. Cmdr. Rinehart (as ensign) was involved in operations concerned with sinking the Nazi battleship Bismarck prior to United States entry in WWII. More information

PreviousNext
Pause

Photo supplied by Mick Gillespie, son of Cecil Gillespie.

Photo supplied by Mick Gillespie, son of Cecil Gillespie.

Photo supplied by Mick Gillespie, son of Cecil Gillespie.

Photo supplied by Mick Gillespie, son of Cecil Gillespie.

Photo supplied by Mick Gillespie, son of Cecil Gillespie.