A BIT OF HISTORY: "...Full Text Citations For Award of The Navy Cross - To U.S. Navy Personnel - World War II - (2,889 Awards) - Navy Cross Citations U.S. Navy - World War II..." WebSite: Home of Heros http://www.homeofheroes.com/ valor/ 1_Citations/ 03_wwii-nc/ nc_06wwii_navyR.html [23NOV2007]

SORENSEN, WILLIAM T.

Citation:

The Navy Cross is presented to William T. Sorensen, Ensign, U.S. Navy (Reserve), for extraordinary heroism and distinguished service as a Pilot of Patrol Squadron FORTY-THREE (VP-43), Patrol Wing FOUR in the Aleutian Islands during the period 10 through 20 June 1942. Ensign Sorenson made daring, repeated dive-bombing and strafing attacks on Japanese ships and four-motored patrol planes in Kiska Harbor despite severe adverse weather conditions and fire from antiaircraft and shore batteries which, on one occasion, left his plane riddled with more than 100 shrapnel holes. Ensign Sorensen's outstanding courage, daring airmanship and devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

Bureau of Naval Personnel Information Bulletin No. 313 (April 1943)
Born: July 4, 1920 at Salt Lake City, Utah
Home Town: Bountiful, Utah

A BIT OF HISTORY: "...Full Text Citations For Award of The Navy Cross - To U.S. Navy Personnel - World War II - (2,889 Awards) - Navy Cross Citations U.S. Navy - World War II..." WebSite: Home of Heros http://www.homeofheroes.com/ valor/ 1_Citations/ 03_wwii-nc/ nc_06wwii_navyC.html [20NOV2007]

DAVIS, LELAND L. (MIA)

Citation:

The Navy Cross is presented to Leland L. Davis, Machinist, U.S. Navy, for extraordinary heroism and distinguished service beyond the call of duty as a Pilot of Seaplane Patrol Squadron FORTY-THREE (VP-43), Patrol Wing FOUR, in action against enemy Japanese forces in the Aleutian Islands, Territory of Alaska, on 11 June 1942. Machinist Davis made daring, repeated dive-bombing and strafing attacks on Japanese ships and four-motored patrol planes in Kiska Harbor despite severe adverse weather conditions and fire from antiaircraft and shore batteries. Machinist Davis' bomber was on a patrol mission on 11 June 1942, when the Japanese submarine was sighted running on the surface eight miles away. Machinist Davis flew into the clouds to escape detection, came out one mile from the submarine as it began to submerge, and plunged downward in a bombing run. Two depth charges were released just ahead of the wake. Almost im­mediately the submarine blew its tanks and emerged, bow first, with a large oil slick spreading from either side of its hull. Machinist Davis' outstanding courage and determined skill were at all times inspiring and in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.

Bureau of Naval Personnel Information Bulletin No. 313 (April 1943)
Born: March 25, 1917 at Callins, Mississippi
Home Town: Hattiesburg, Mississippi

A BIT OF HISTORY: "...Full Text Citations For Award of The Navy Cross - To U.S. Navy Personnel - World War II - (2,889 Awards) - Navy Cross Citations U.S. Navy - World War II..." WebSite: Home of Heros http://www.homeofheroes.com/ valor/ 1_Citations/ 03_wwii-nc/nc_06wwii_navyH.html [19NOV2007]

JONES, CARROL BURGESS

Citation:

The Navy Cross is presented to Carrol Burgess Jones, Lieutenant Commander, U.S. Navy, for extraordinary heroism and distinguished service as Commanding Officer of Patrol Squadron FORTY-THREE (VP-43), Patrol Wing FOUR in the Aleutian Islands during the period 10 through 20 June 1942. Lieutenant Commander Jones led his squadron in repeated bombing and strafing attacks on Japanese ships in Kiska Harbor despite severe adverse weather conditions and fire from antiaircraft and shore batteries. With his own plane pierced by shrapnel and lighter caliber projectiles from enemy fire, he was forced to fly blind pull-outs, avoiding the perilous cloud-obscured mountains. Lieutenant Commander Jones' outstanding courage, daring airmanship and devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

Bureau of Naval Personnel Information Bulletin No. 313 (April 1943)
Born: November 4, 1902 at Devils Lake, North Dakota
Home Town: Devils Lake, North Dakota

A BIT OF HISTORY: "...Op-40-A-KB - (SC)A6-4/VZ - January 6, 1942 - Location of U. S. Naval Aircraft..." WebSite: Naval Historical Center http://www.history.navy.mil/ [23SEP2006]

A BIT OF HISTORY: "...Office of the Chief of Naval Operations - Naval History Division • Washington - USS Lansing (DE-388)..." WebSite: HyperWar http://www.ibiblio.org/hyperwar/USN/ships/dafs/DE/de388.html [16JAN2006]

William Henry Lansing was born 7 March 1914 in Amsterdam, N.Y., and enlisted in the Naval Reserve 14 February 1933. He joined the Regular navy 8 May 1934 and was assigned to Lexington (CV-2) in August. In December 1941, Aviation Machinist Mate First Class Lansing joined Patrol Squadron 43, serving at San Diego and Alameda. Following America's entry into World War II, his squadron was dispatched to the Aleutians for the aviation buildup in the North Pacific. On 11 June 1942 as plane captain, he participated in a divebombing and strafing attack on Japanese shipping in Kiska Harbor. While manning his exposed and unprotected station at the engine controls, he was killed by enemy fire. His courage and devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the U.S. Naval Service. He gallantly gave up his life in the service of his country.

A BIT OF HISTORY: "...Office of the Chief of Naval Operations - Naval History Division • Washington - USS Neunzer (DE-150)..." WebSite: HyperWar http://www.ibiblio.org/hyperwar/USN/ships/dafs/DE/de150.html [16JAN2006]

Weimar Edmund Neunzer, born in Lynn, Mass., 31 July 1912, enlisted in the U.S. Navy 24 February 1934. In the ensuing years he rose in rank while in Portland (CA-33), Chaumont (AP-5), Shaw (DD-373), and Reina Mercedes (IX-25) as well as several shore stations. Appointed Machinist 22 April 1942, Neunzer served in Patrol Squadron 43 action against the Japanese in the Aleutian Islands Campaign 10 to 20 June 1942. Killed in action 2 July 1942, Machinist Neunzer was awarded the Air Medal posthumously for his skill and courage.

A BIT OF HISTORY: "...31AUG42 - Destroyer Reid (DD-369) and PBYs (VP-42, VP-43) sink Japanese submarine RO-61 off Atka, Aleutians, 52°36'N, 173°57'W..." WebSite: HyperWar http://www.ibiblio.org/hyperwar/USN/USN-Chron/USN-Chron-1942.html [16SEP2005]

A BIT OF HISTORY: "...Squadron Awards..." Contributed by Mahlon K. Miller mkwsmiller@cox.net [23APR2001]

Navy Unit Commendation
08 Jun 42 – 01 Aug 42

A BIT OF HISTORY: "31AUG42--United States naval vessel damaged: Carrier SARATOGA (CV-3), by submarine torpedo, 260 miles southeast of Guadalcanal, Solomon Islands, 10 d. 34' S., 164 d. 18' E. Japanese submarine sunk: RO-61, by destroyer REID (DD-369) and naval land-based aircraft (vp-43), Aleutian Islands area, 52 d. 36' N., 173 d. 57 ' W...." http://www.cyberplus.ca/~chrism/chr42.txt

A BIT OF HISTORY: "27JUL42 through 27MAR43--VP-43...Correspondence, Action...Reports...NARA San...Bruno 9NS-313-94-01, Box 7 Folder 321359...plus "photo copies" and more!" Contributed by Eric Mitchell eric_mitchell@ccmail.com WEBSITE: http://www.pby.com

A BIT OF HISTORY: "...Air-to-Air Shoot Downs by Navy and Marine Corps Patrol Type Aircraft During World War II - This Squadron Mentioned...Naval Historical Center ADOBE Download File: http://www.history.navy.mil/avh-vol2/Appen4.pdf [12FEB2004]

Air-To-Air Shootdowns 118KB

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Circa 1941 - 1945

A BIT OF HISTORY: Naval Historical Center, Department Of The Navy, Washington, D. C http://www.history.navy.mil/branches/dictvol2.htm [28APR2001]

VPB-43 183KB

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Circa 1941-1944

A BIT OF HISTORY: "...History of FAW-8 - History from 08JUL41-31DEC44 Submitted April 12th, 1945. Squadron's Assigned: VP-16, VP-18, VP-19, VP-20, VP-21, VP-22, VP-25, VP-26, VP-27, VP-28, VP-43, VP-61, VP-62, VP-63, VP-72, VP-81, VP-82, VP-83, VP-84, VP-92, VP-118, VP-123, VP-133, VP-137, VP-140, VP-142, VP-144, VP-148, VP-150, VP-153, VP-198, VP-205, VP-208 and VP-216..." Official U. S. Navy Records (National Archives and Records Administration) via Fold3 http://www.fold3.com/ [01DEC2012]

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Circa 1941

A BIT OF HISTORY: VP-43 History "...CAPTAIN Eugene P. Rankin reported to VP-43 February 1941 as Assistant Gunnery Officer. He served as Executive Officer when VP-43 was redesignated VP-81 in September 1941, transferred from the East Coast to the Caribbean for Anti-Submarine Warfare operations, during the early part of the WWII period. From the summer of 1943 until July 1944 he was Commanding Officer of VP-81, a "Black Cat" squadron in the Pacific through August 1944..." U. S. Navy Property [17DEC2012]

A BIT OF HISTORY: "...Hearings Before The Joint Committee On The Investigation Of The Pearl Harbor Attack - Congress Of The United States - Seventy-Ninth Congress...Squadrons mentioned: VP-11, VP-13, VP-14, VP-21, VP-22, VP-23, VP-24, VP-31, VP-32, VP-41, VP-42, VP-43, VP-44, VP-51, VP-52, VP-71, VP-72, VP-73, VP-74, VP-81, VP-82, VP-83, VP-84, VP-91, VP-92, VP-93, VP-94, VP-101, VP-102, CPW-1, CPW-2, CPW-3, CPW-4, CPW-5, CPW-7, CPW-8 and CPW-9..." WebSite: The public's library and digital archive http://www.ibiblio.org/pha/pha/misc/rainbow5.html [01APR2005]

Hearings Before The Joint Committee On the Investigation Of The Pearl Harbor Attack 333KB

A BIT OF HISTORY: "...History of USN Catalina PBY-5 BUNO: 2305..." http://www.adf-serials.com/otherpages/catalinaA24-30.shtml [15APR2004]

09JAN41  -  New plane, assigned to VP-52, for work out of NAS Norfolk, Virginia, NAS Quonset Point, Rhode Island, and later, NAS Argentia, Newfoundland, Canada - North Atlantic patrols.

16JUN41  -  Re-assigned to VP-43, from VP-52 which was re-equipping with later production, higher modification status, planes

01JUL41  -  VP-43 renumbered to VP-81

25AUG41  -  Assigned to the newly formed VP-51; working out of NAS Norfolk, Virginia and Bermuda.

11DEC41  -  Depart NAS Norfolk, Virginia, reach NAS Alameda, California [Asan Francisco area] 15Dec41

20DEC41  -  Depart NAS Alameda, California, over-night to MCAS/NAS Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii.

01JAN42  -  Now at NAS Ford Island, Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, as 22-P-12. (all VP-51 planes were transfered to VP-22)

02JAN42  -  Depart Hawaii, via Palmyra, Canton, Fiji, Townsville, Darwin, to reach Netherlands East Indies area about 11Jan42, PPC Ens G Howard. [PPC = Patrol Plane Commander]

06FEB42  -  The last recorded flight for Bu 2305 [in War Diary, Commander Aircraft Asiatic Fleet] when it flew to scatter anchorage for the day and returned to Sourabaya that evening.

22FEB42  -  Being broken up for spare parts on ramp at Morokrembangan, Sourabaya, Java. Source - Messimer "In the Hands Of Fate" interview with Lt Antonides, Engineer Officer with Patrol Wing 10.

Bu 2305 ceased to be a flyable or repairable entity when the break-up for parts began about 22Feb42. In the latter days of its life it had two [with-in unit] identities 22-P-12 and PatWing 10 #12.

Its wing and engines were fitted to the fuselage of Dutch Plane Y-72.

A BIT OF HISTORY: "31DEC41--PATROL WING FOUR (VP-43) Patrol Squadron FORTY-THREE (6 PBY5)..." http://omni.cc.purdue.edu/~pha/pha/hart/xha-029.html

A BIT OF HISTORY: "00DEC41--Order of Battle December 1941 Patrol Wing Four - NAS Seattle, Washington VP-41 - 6 Catalinas PBY5, VP-42 - 6 Catalinas PBY5, VP-43 - 6 Catalinas PBY5, and VP-44 - 6 Catalinas PBY5..."

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Circa 1940

A BIT OF HISTORY: "...VP-44 during the late 1940's was based at NAS Coco Solo, Panama, Canal Zone. I was attached to this squadron flying PBM-5 type aircraft. VP-44 was formerly a PBY squadron (VP-43) in FAW-4 during the late 1930's and was split off as VP-44 in the Pacific during WWII. VP-44 was later reformed during the Korea Crisis and was designated as VP-204; then VPMS-4; then in 1947 became VP-44. VP-40 (old VP-74/VP-56) was next hangar in NAS Coco Solo, Panama, Canal Zone. VP-3 one of the first P2V squadrons took up residence across from us in the same hangar. I departed in 1949 for NAS Operations, NAS Norfolk, Virginia. I lost track of VP-44 after that..." Contributed by ADC(AP) O'LAUGHLIN, Francis M. "Red" Retired FMOL2@AOL.COM [27JAN2001]

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"VP-43 History Summary Page"

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