VPNAVY VP-5 Open House
http://www.vpnavy.org
VPNAVY Address

Note VP-21 NoticeNote

Note NOTICE: "...Save A (P2) Neptune!..." Contributed by Richard Camp saveaneptune@gmail.com [04MAR2013]

Save A (P2) Neptune!
Save A P2 Neptune Logo


Save A Neptune! is a 501 (c) 3 IRS approved charity to restore to flying condition a P2V-7 Neptune BUNO: 143173 and to educate the public on the role the Neptune played in ASW for the Navy.

BUNO: 143173 flew with VP-21 (1957-1960), VX-1 (1961-1963), VP-30 (1963-1965), VP-24 (1966), VP-30 (1966-1968), NARTU NAS Memphis, Tennessee (1968-1969), NAS Los Alamitos, California (1969), NARTU NAS Memphis, Tennessee (1969-1970), and VP-67 (1970-1973).

She still is in 85% military configuration! Please look closely at the pictures located on our WebSite at: http://www.saveaneptune.com!

Please visit http://www.saveaneptune.com for more details and pictures of 143173. Donations via PayPal! Partners and Corporate sponsors Welcome!

Thank you,

Richard Camp
saveaneptune@gmail.com [04MAR2013]


Note NOTICE: "...Am doing research as a docent for new Pacific Avation Museum Pearl Harbor at Ford Island. Looking for a picture of AOM1c Theodore W. Croft, a member of VP-21 stationed on NAS Ford Island, Pearl Harbor, Hawaii on Dec 7, 1941. Ted was the only person killed on Ford Island. We have a copy of his service record but even that does not contain his picture. Any help any reader could give would be greatly appreciated. Semper Fi and Aloha, Gary Meyers ggmeyers3899@aol.com..." [25OCT2007]


Note NOTICE: "...When I was young (1957 or 1958), my squadron VA(HM)-13, which was VP-24 shortly before and after, sent 3 crews on a "MedFam". It was supposed to get the crews familiar with the Mediterranean. I remember we stopped at Nice, France and on the way back, Majorca. I volunteered to stay with the aircraft at the field rather than go to town (actually, as a 3rd Class, broke). The next morning, several ambulances arrived at the field with U. S. Navymen aboard, bringing them to catch a civilian hospital plane that had arrived. Some had died, and others were burned terrible. I remember one African-American crewman that had no place on his body that wasn't burned and they couldn't lay him on the stretcher without him crying in pain. Anyway, we were told that the plane that had crashed was from VP-21. The pilot had lifted the disabled plane that was going in up over a small settlement, crash-landed it in an orchard and slid up against a windmill where it impacted and burned. This happened the day before we got there (can't remember the date). I looked at VP-21's mishap page and could find no reference to it . Was I wrong in remembering it was from VP-21? If anyone remembers anything like that, please let me know. I remember those boys vividly. McCOMAS, AVCM Finis (Mac) Retired mcporet@newwavecomm.net..." [23JAN2007]


Note NOTICE: "...I am a member of the Maine Air Museum located at Bangor International Airport. We are inviting former NAS Brunswick, Maine personnel to establish a display in our museum to commemorate the rich aviation history of NAS Brunswick, Maine. VP-8, VP-10, VP-21, VP-23, VP-26 and VP-44 served there. Will help you with design suggstions. So far all we have from NAS Brunswick, Maine is a flight suit. We have a major display about Loring AFB, a small one on Dow AFB and now we need to publicize what you accomplished. Please contact me. We could use model aircraft, patches and photos etc. We are a non-profit organization. Smooth sailing...Hank Marois, Maine Air Museum, Project Manager oldcrow2@verizon.net..." [19JUL2005]


Note NOTICE: CameraP2V Tour Information "...Damsel in Distress - Last A.S.W. Equipped Flying P2V Neptune is in need of restoration! A Gallant Lady who is the last ASW equipped flying P2V-7 Neptune needs our help. Would you believe there is only one, yes only one, ASW equipped P2V-7 still flying.

The P2 is located at the Mid Atlantic Air Museum in Reading Pa. We open the P2V for tours (this year - June 4th through the 6th, 2004) during selected airshows. This equates to thousands of viewers each year. Besides drawing former P2V crewmen, we also attract people who have no idea of what we went through. Remember this the Last of the Gallant ladies that is A.S.W. equipped and still flying (thanks to the Mid Atlantic Air Museum).

Bureau number 145915 was placed in service in 1954 and served in VP-7, VP-18, VP-21, VP-23, VP-30, VP-56, VP-66, VP-67, VP-92, or VP-94.

This Neptune is our last link to a grand and glorious period in Naval history. We draw thousands of people each year to view this aircraft. Our P2V is shown at the Museum and on tours. In order to continue to tour this aircraft it needs repairs.

For further information, please contact Jack Steventon buddlake130@aol.com..." Contributed by Jack Steventon buddlake130@aol.com [10APR2003]

UPDATE "...P2V Neptune will be open for tours June 6th through the 8th, 2003 at Reading, Pa. See Flyer: P2V Tour Information..." Contributed by Jack Steventon buddlake130@aol.com [11APR2004]

UPDATE "...P2V Neptune will be open for tours June 4th through the 6th, 2004 at Reading, Pa. See Flyer: P2V Tour Information..." Contributed by Jack Steventon buddlake130@aol.com [07APR2003]

UPDATE "...P2V Neptune will be open for tours June 7th through the 9th, 2002 at Reading, Pa. See Flyer: P2V Tour Information..." Contributed by Jack Steventon buddlake130@aol.com [22JAN2002]

UPDATE "...P2V Neptune will be open for tours June 8th through the 10th, 2001 at Reading, Pa. See Flyer: P2V Tour Information..." Contributed by Jack Steventon buddlake130@aol.com

UPDATE "...P2V Neptune will be open for tours June 2th through the 4th, 2000 at Reading, Pa. See Flyer: P2V Tour Information..." Contributed by Jack Steventon buddlake130@aol.com [25FEB2000]

UPDATE "...Fund Raiser entry removed - see Update above..." [Updated 16SEP2002 | 11JAN99]

UPDATE "...Fund Raiser entry removed - see Update above..." [Updated 16SEP2002 | 14DEC98]


Note NOTICE: "...Navy Establishing Augment Units For All FRS's Including VP-30..." Contributed by LCDR Robert J. Cable cablerj@vp30.navy.mil [03DEC2003]

VP-30 SAU The Navy is scheduling the establishment of a Squadron Augment Unit (SAU) attached to VP-30 for 1 October, 2004. Final numbers have yet to be released, but the SAU is likely to total near 150 personnel composed of Officer and Enlisted instructors and maintenance personnel. The SAU has begun recruiting the advance party of 20 maintainers in the AD, AE, AT, AM, and AME rates. If you are interested in serving as a Selected Reservist in VP-30 SAU, have P-3 NEC's and P-3 experience within the last 6 years, and are within drilling distance of NAS Jacksonville, Florida, please call Naval Reserve Recruiting Area SE at 904-542-3320 ext 490 or the SAU OIC at 904-542-0990.

AD - Aviation Machinist's Mate    AE - Aviation Electrician's Mate    AT - Aviation Electronics Technician    AM - Aviation Structural Mechanic

Note NOTICE: "...To Whom It May Concern: I am currently researching a documentary for Discovery Channel USA about a Soviet Hotel Class submarine called K-19. Our film focuses on a major accident aboard K-19 on 4 July 1961, where its nuclear reactor malfunctions and eight crew die while attempting to rig an emergency cooling device. The crew saved the ship from sinking, but radiation damage was irreparable. K-19 had to be towed back on the surface over the course of several days from the accident site southeast of Jan Mayen Island to its base on the Kola Peninsula. K-19, the lead ship of the Soviet Navy's first line of SSBN's, was then on its first combat-ready patrol as part of a larger Soviet naval exercise in the Norwegian Sea code named Arctic Circle. The accident took place during the height of the Berlin Crisis, a situation which had the Cold War superpowers considering options of nuclear war. In speaking with various US Navy Admirals, Commanders and ONI Officers who remember (however vaguely) this event, I have frequently been referred to US military posts in Iceland as a point of contact. Captain Joseph F. Bouchard, Commander of Naval Base Norfolk and author of an extensive book on the Navy's involvement in various crises over the past 40 years, suggested that VP-10, VP-11, VP-21, VP-23 or VP-26 might have been deployed to NAS Keflavik, Iceland at this point in time. To lend our film historic and contextual authenticity, we would very much like to speak with any personel who were on duty in Iceland in 1961, specifically during the summer months. We are also very eager to find photographs of this incident, as they have proven so far to be impossible to locate. What I have been told regarding American response to the K-19 incident is that a P2V Neptune would have been sent out to photograph the submarine, and that bases in Iceland would have been the origins for such an operation. If anyone feels they can direct us to any resources or people that might be able to assist us in our search, I would very much appreciate it. Kind regards, Robin Waite, Head Researcher. CineNova Productions Inc., 468 King St. West, Toronto, ON, Canada, M5V 1L8. Phone: 416-363-2600...Robin Waite rwaite@cinenova.net..." [06APR2002]

UPDATE "...our film about K-19, the Soviet SSBN, will be broadcast on Discovery Channel tomorrow evening Thursday July 25th. It's titled: "K-19: Doomsday Submarine"... Robin Waite rwaite@cinenova.net..." [24JUL2002]

UPDATE "...I have already spoken today with a former VP pilot who remembers being briefed about the incident. Finding these little anecdotes is very helpful for our production - the incident was so long ago, even the fact that someone remembers it is significant! To those interested, our film will be airing on Discovery Channel USA in the summer of this year. Thanks! Robin Waite rwaite@cinenova.net..." [09APR2002]


Note NOTICE: "...On 11 May 1945, two PBMs of VPB-21 were attacked off the west coast of Kyushu by 4 Japanese "George" fighters of the 343 Air Group. This group was an elite unit commanded by Capt Minoru Genda, the mastermind of the Pearl Harbor attack. Lts Dick Simms and John Hook were the pilots. They were attacked by Lt Shoji Matsumura, CPO Yoshikazu Miyamoto, CPO Seiichiro Sato, and PO1c Mahito Yoshihara. They were armed with air-to-air rockets and this was the first time they employed this weapon. Lt Matsumura's rockets failed to fire, but Miyamoto and Sato successfully fired their's. Miyamoto's rockets failed to hit anything, but Sato's rocket exploded near Hook's PBM, causing extensive damage. The Japanese made some ineffective runs, then returned to base where they got chewed out by the squadron leader for not being successful. They didn't realize that Simms had to make a ditching in the sea. Luckily the crew survived and were picked up by VH-3 the next day. Co-pilot Bill Graves got a deep cut across his nose when a 20mm shell detonated inside the cockpit. Sea1c Lavernus Cottrell, the starboard waist gunner on Simms' plane, was credited with a kill. However, all 4 Georges returned to base and none were hit in combat. I'm writing a story about the Japanese 343 Air Group and it has taken me forever to piece this story together from both sides. Now, I am in need of photos to illustrate the chapter. I need to borrow photos of Dick Simms and crew, and Hooks and crew. I have everything else. I can scan the photos and return them to you via certified mail. Any help will be appreciated. PS: Does anyone know if Simms, Hook, or any crewmen from this combat are still living??...Henry Sakaida Saknsry@pacbell.net..." [26NOV2001]


Note NOTICE: "...I am working with CBS to locate the newsclip we filmed in 1962 while with VP-21. It was titled 'Red Ships Off Our Shore'. What I need is the dates it was shot I think somewhere in the April to June timeframe, and the date that it aired on CBS with Walter Cronkite. I am trying to obtain a copy for the squadron archives (If it doesn't cost a fortune to convert from film to video tape.) Please help if you have any info at all. Thanks...Dale Woods dalevp21@yahoo.com..." [26OCT98]

UPDATE "...This is to inform you that I have successfully obtained the copy of "Red Ships off Our Shore" from CBS News. It now resides in the VP-21 archives and will be shown at the squadron Reunion, Brunswick, ME. in Sept of 1999...Information received from Lt. Jack Baker allowed the CBS people to zero in on the dates. Most of the VP-21 personnel did not get to see the film aired as we were deployed to NAS Sigonella, Sicily at the time of the showing (March 63). Thanks! Dale 'Woody' Woods dalevp21@yahoo.com..." [22JUL99]


Note NOTICE: "...I am collecting for publication the personal recollections of those persons who flew, maintained, and supported the operational life of the P4M-1Q. I am one of the original 12 pilots that, on January 12, 1951, at NAS Whidbey Island, Washington, were given TDY orders that would, over four years later, lead to the commissioning of VQ-1. I left the unit on September 12, 1953, and have recently, thru the VQ Association, the VP NAVY website, and the Internet, located half of my original crew and all of the surviving original 12 pilots. I am especially interested in any incidents involving contact with Russian or Chinese aircraft, any operational incidents, or any personal recollections of interesting events that occurred during the operational life of the P4M-1Q. All stories will be edited and returned for approval before any are published. Contact Mel Davidow, LT, USNR (Ret), 8860 SW 87 St, Miami, FL, 33173. (305) 412-9732. meldavidow@earthlink.net or 71634.225@compuserve.com. According to my records and information VQ-1 evolved as follows: *** Jan 1951 Fleet Airborne Electronics Training Unit (FAETUPAC), NAS San Diego, CA, for a special electronics countermeasures course. *** Feb - May 1951 VP-21 & Electronics Test, NAS Patuxent River, Maryland, for P4M-1 training and waiting delivery of our four P4M-1Qs. *** May - Sept 1951 VC-11 Miramar Detachment, NAS Miramar, for operational training. *** Oct 1951 - Apr 1953 Special Project Division, Air Operations Department, NS Sangley Point, Philippines. *** Apr 1953 - Jun 1954 VW-1, Detachment Able, NS Sangley Point, Philippines. *** Jun 1954 - June 1955 VW-3, Detachment Able, NS Sangley Point, Philippines. (During this period the unit moved to Japan, I do not have the date of this move). *** Jun 1955 VQ-1 commissioned...Mel Davidowmeldavidow@earthlink.net..." [09AUG99]


Note NOTICE: "...I am trying to help an old AB named Earnie Fauson to locate an old Shipmate by the name of Daniel A. Mahaffey. Daniel is shown in a crew photo with VP-21, Crew 2. Daniel is third from the left (facing photo) in the top row. Earnie last saw Daniel and his wife, Joyce, in 1961 in Vienna, VA. If you have any information to help this old sailor, please let me know and I'll forward the information to AB Earnie Fauson...Gerald L. Carvey dassa@att.net..." [07JUN2003]


Note NOTICE: "...I am looking for an old VP-21 Crew 5 crewmate (1958 to 1962 era) by the name of AT Otis Bonsel Owens. If any one knows the where abouts or what happened to him please let me know. Thanks...Tom (MAC) Mancuso bepa917@aol.com..." [14NOV2001]


Note NOTICE: "...Looking for crew members of Crew 9 stationed with VPB-21 during May - December 1945 on board USS Chandeleur and USS Tangier (AV-8) and during Occupation of Japan at Ominato, Japan. Plane Commander was Lt. Francis Reese. Thanks...James W. Erwin Jr jerwinjr@gte.net..." [12JUN2001]


Note NOTICE: "...I am trying to locate an old Shipmate, William "Pappy" Dalrymple, who served with me in VP-21 from 1956-1959 at NAS Brunswick, Maine. I found him listed in the Navy Log but they had no address that could be traced. Any information anyone could forward to me would be greatly appreciated...Ron Hoffmann ronhoff@execpc.com..." [03JUN2001]


Note NOTICE: "...I am looking for any information about LCDR C.L. McNeal, VP-21 executive officer around mid 1951. He died in a crash of an F8F in the mountains of Arizona and an effort is underway to find out about and record his naval service...LT Mel Davidow, USNR (RET) meldavidow@earthlink.net..." [19SEP99]


Note NOTICE: "...MY FATHER, EUGENE T. MARKWELL, FLEW IN A PBM-3D DURING WWII. I HAVE HIS FLIGHT LOG BOOKS FROM APRIL 1944 TO APRIL 1945. HE WAS IN VP-21 CREW 10. HE RECEIVED AN AIR MEDAL FOR RESCUING A DOWNED U.S. PILOT NEXT TO THE YAMATO BEFORE IT SANK. I WOULD LIKE TO FIND MORE INFO ON HIM AND SHARE WHAT INFO I HAVE. I HAVE PICS, NEWS CLIPPINGS AND OTHER INFO. PLEASE CONTACT. THANK YOU...TOM MARKWELL TMARK10367@AOL.COM..." [07FEB99]

UPDATE "...YOUR WEBSITE HELPED PUT ME IN TOUCH WITH SOME OF THE MEN HE SERVED WITH IN VPB-21. I'VE FOUND ALMOST EVERYTHING I WAS LOOKING FOR...Thanks!...TOM MARKWELL TMARK10367@AOL.COM..." [30MAY99]


Note NOTICE: "...I am trying to trace the history of my father, William Matthew Mahoney b Jan 1918 whose history is believed to be this: Navy regular, was a Pearl Harbour when Japs attacked, Rear Gunner for Catalinas, possibly in VP-21 Squadron or VP-22 Squadron, Moved to Perth Western Australia early 1942 with other squadrons and was reformed as VP-101. Operated from Perth then to Phillipines, at end of war was a Chief Petty Officer. Believed to have died in Jacksonville Florida 1968/1969. If anyone knows anthing of his service history and any personal details such as children, please let me know....Mike Mahoney mahone@wn.com.au..." [27APR98]

UPDATE "...I have made contact with my father's family in Florida and visited them in August of this year but I am still seeking a history of his service. He died in Jacksonville Florida 1971..." [08DEC99

UPDATE "...Mr,. Mahone: If your father was the "Wild Bill" Mahone of U.S. Navy Patrol Squadron 22 early in 1942, you are the one I am looking for. If you are, I can furnish you some squadron rosters and possibly some other information which may be helpful. My oldest brother (Ted LeBaron) was a crewman in 22-P-4. Patrol Wing TEN was getting pretty well beat up and I asked Ted once how the crews felt about it - about their general morale. He said it was o.k. I inquired about feelings of hatred for the Japs (the plane in which Ted was a crewman was shot down north of Darwin by Japanese Navy Zeros on 19 February 1942 but Ted himself seemed not to have any feeling at all, one way or another, against the Japs.) He said the old time he could remember it coming up was when he and "Wild Bill" were running through the jungle to get away from their hangar at Ambon, which was about to be bombed by unmolested Jap bombers, and "Wild Bill" saying something to the effect: "I just hope the time comes when they can be down here and I can be up there!" Ted may have censored that quote a little - you probably knew "Wild Bill" better than he did..." Contributed by allan_lebaron@hotmail.com [08DEC99]


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