CALHOUN, Gene calhoun@sutv.com "...I served with VR-5 at NAS Moffett Field, California 1952 to March 1954 and VR-23 at NAS Atsugi, Japan from March 1954 to August 1955. I remember Delmar Zimmerman, David West, Eugene Rowe, Gene Keogh, Don milburn, Pat Skandlin, Eugene Schmardebek and Captain Kerberris...and a lot of other guys. I would like to hear from former Shipmates..." [05FEB2010]

CRAIG, ADCR Robert E. Retired sobcraig@jps.net "...I was ACMM Plane Captain Crew # 10 VP/VPB-116 origional squadron from January 1944 through April 1945. Plane Commander was Lt. J. (Jake) A. Miller. We operated from Eniwetok, Tinian, Iwo Jima. Plane # was 309, nose art Indian boy (Eager Beaver) carrying bombs and machine guns in arms, named Eager Engines. Also served in VP-12 (1940-1941), VP-43 1941-1942), T.L.U. (1942-1943, VP-61 (1949-1952, and VR-23 NAS Atsugi, Japan (1955-57). Retired 4-20-60 as ADCR..." [31OCT2000]

"...CURRY, LT Nathan Evans (Nate)...Nathan Evans Curry (93 years old), passed away October 16th, 2017. He was a highly decorated US Navy fighter pilot. During the Korean War he was shot down twice flying a F4U-4 Corsair fighter. For that conflict, he was awarded a Purple Heart. Both times he was miraculously rescued from the North Korea Sea amid heavy enemy fire. He was also awarded the Distinguished flying cross as a pilot . Nathan participated in numerous strike missions over enemy territory and was awarded other medals. During WWII, Nathan flew a TBF/TBM Avenger torpedo bomber. Nate also served with VR-23 (1955) at NAS Atsugi, Japan. SEE: NATHAN CURRY 1924 - 2017 Obituary Condolences Gallery He was my hero and a great Dad, stepdad, Grandfather, Uncle, Cousin and the last of the Curry Boys. I would love to hear from any of his former Shipmates..." Contributed by Brian McMahan bmac6026@yahoo.com [11NOV2017]

GRAPPONE, AMSC Al Retired algrappone@comcast.net "...I attended Boot Samp Newport, RI (June 18, 1941 to August 25, 1941, AM School NAS Jacksonville, Florida (August 26, 1941 to December 29, 1941), LTA School NAS Lakehurst, New Jersey (December 31, 1941 to June 3, 1942), ZP-12 NAS Lakehurst, New Jersey (June 3, 1942 to January 24, 1943), ZP-51 San Juan Puerto Rico, ZP-51 NAS Trinidad, British West Indies (March 4, 1942 to August 24, 1943), Blimp Hedron 5 NAS Guantanamo Bay, Cuba (1943), Blimp Hedron 2 NAAF Atkinson Field, Essequibo, British Guiana, Blimp Hedron 4 NAF Amapa, Brazil (1945), ZP-41 Richmond Field, FL (June 8, 1945 to March 2, 1946), ZP-12 NAS Lakehurst, New Jersey (March 2, 1946 to August 10, 1946), NAS Quonset Point, Rhode Island (August 12, 1946 to September 8, 1947), COMFLEETAIR WESTCOAST (October 2, 1947 to October 7, 1947), VP-ML-1 NAS Miramar, California (October 7, 1947 to July 20, 1948), Receiving Station NAS Pearl Harbor, Hawaii (July 1948), Receiving Station NAS Agana, Guam (August 18, 1948 to August 25, 1948), FASRON-122 Tsingtao China (August 29, 1948 to December 6, 1948), USS Pine Island (AV-12) (December 7, 1948 to April 4, 1949), FASRON-119 Tsingtao China (April 4, 1949 to April 5, 1949), FASRON-122 NAF Oppama, Japan (1949), USS Fabius (1950 to 1951), VR-5 href="nasmoffett.html">NAS Moffett Field, California (1951), VR-21 NAS Atsugi, Japan (1952), VR-23 NAS Atsugi, Japan (1952 to 1954), VR-2 NAS Alameda, California (1954 to 1956), VR-23 NAS Atsugi, Japan (1956 to 1958), VFAW-3 NAS North Island, San Diego, California (1958 to 1959), FASRON-110 NAS North Island, San Diego, California (1959 to 1960), NAS North Island, San Diego, California (1960 to 1961), and Retired May 4, 1961..." [E-Mail Updated 26MAR2011 | 02MAY2004]

---

MARIO, AM3 Trotta marizhr@sbcglobal.net "...I served with VR-23 at NAS Atsugi, Japan from 1954 to 1955. Some of my fellow Shipmates included Stewart, AM1 Richard, AM3 Ted Baxter and AM3 Aldrich. Many more if the memory was a bit younger. It was the best duty you could ever want..." [12JUN2010]

---

PALMER, Richard W. rwpalmer@mchsi.com "...Was radioman on PBM-5S aircraft with VP-47 at MCAS/NAS Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii and NAS North Island, San Diego, California from 1948 to 1949. August 1949 selected for aircrew PBM-5A amphibian aircraft with VR-23 NAS North Island, San Diego, California. From there to Clark Air Force Base, Phillipine Islands where VR-23 was absorbed by VR-21. At outbreak of Korean War, June 1950, was aircrew (radioman) of one PBM-5A assigned direct command of Commander Fleet Air Japan where we flew critical logistic air support as needed and whenever needed..." [02JUL2003]

---

REED, ADCS Doug Retired dwmobil@aol.com "...I served with ATU-700 NAS Corpus Christi, Texas from 1954 to 1955 when it became ATU-501 until November 1956 and VR-23 NAS Atsugi, Japan. Shipmates I remember Were, R. Kregle, Burtis Webb, James Noble and 3rd class metalsmith Tidwell who was on the same flight crew I was. I left there as an ADAN and stayed in the Navy 24 years retiring as ADCS in July 1976 out of NAS Brunswick, Maine. still go to the Corpus area every winter for some fishing. I stay in a 5th wheel trailer parked at Rockport Tx. would love to hear from any Shipmates..." [24DEC2003]

---

SEBRING, AD3 Bill billsebring@hotmaol.com "...I served in the Navy from 1951 to 1955. I was assigned to VR-23 NAS Atsugi, Japan in 1953 and was immediately transfered to VR-23 COD, at Brady AFB. The best duty I had in the Navy. We were operating TBMs. We split the squadren and half stayed at Brady, the half I was in went to NS Sangley Point, Philippines. We operated fron there, and Formosa. We also spent 30 days abord various carriers in the Gulf of Tonkin. I still stay in touch with Hank Hetler, crew menber..." [22FEB2004]

---

TROTTA, Mario marizhr@sbcglobal.net "...I served with VR-23 at NAS Atsugi, Japan..." [28MAR2015]

---

WALDROP, William "Jack" wjackwaldrop@sbcglobal.net "...I served with VR-23 (1953-1955) Carrier On-board Delivery (COD) Unit..." [28JUN2015]

WAY, Lee LEEWAY104@aol.com "...Like OA Hemphill, I volunteered for duty in VH-3 in August 44. He was our Flt. Eng. in crew #6 and Lt. WD Eddy was our PPC. Mr Eddy had been an NAP in VP-102 in 1941-42 in defense of the Philippines. He had finished AP school in 36 winning his wings and was a Lt. when he became our PPC. Mr. Eddy was one of the best pilots I served under and by the grace of God and his leadership we all survived the remainder of the war. Our tour of duty included Tanapag, Saipan, flights to Iwo Jima, and then arrived at Kerama Retto, Nansi Shoto on 29 March 1945. Three days before the invasion of Okinawa. Rescue Squadron-THREE was the only ASR unit at Okinawa until VH-4 & VH-5 arrived around 4 June. The VP squadrons not only performed their missions of patrol, bombing, and ASW, but also made some spectacular rescues when the need arose. Rescue Squadron-THREE made 77 open-sea landings in all sea conditions rescuing 185 survivors. Without losing an a/c, crewman, or survivor during a rescue. In 1949 I also served as a Flt. Eng./Plane Capt. in 1948-49 in VP-32 as well as in VR-23 Det. at NS Sangley Point, Philippines in 1949..." [BIO Updated 02MAR2000 | 02MAR2000]

---

"VR-23 Summary Page"

---