VP-5 Squadron Shipmates
http://www.vpnavy.org
VPNAVY Address

ShipmateUSS Tangier (AV-8) ShipmatesShipmate

AMOS, PH Hugh C. Jr. c/o His Son Michael D. Amos "...My father, Pharmacist Mate Hugh C. Amos Jr., was stationed at Pearl shortly after the attack on the USS Tangier (AV-8). Like many, my father spoke very little of his experiences in the war. I would appreciate any information on rosters and the ultimate fate of his ship. My heart felt thanks to the brave men who served our nation. God be with you all. My mailing address: Michael D. Amos, 229 Volunteer Dr., Arlington, Tx 76014..." [17JUL2002]


BAWDEN, AD3 William salwak@tstonramp.com "...I served aboard the USS Tangier (AV-8) from December 1941 to 1945. My assignment was to refuel the PBY's. I just discovered this web page and want to know if any of my Shipmates are still around..." [05MAY2003]


Memorial Picture Shipmate Pix "...CANNIZZARO, SN John R...My Father, John Cannizzaro (Dad served aboard the USS Tangier (AV-8) (1942-1945)) passed away on November 8th, 2020 at the age of 95. He was a proud WW2 NAVY Veteran. He will be buried at the Military Cemetery in Middletown CT with my MOM..." Contributed by Andrew Cannizzaro ajcannizzaro1952@gmail.com [E-Mail Updated 28OCT2021 | 12NOV2020]

CANNIZZARO, SN John R. c/o Andrew Cannizzaro ajcannizzaro1952@gmail.com "...I served aboard the USS Tangier (AV-8) (1942-1945). I would like to hear from former Shipmates..." [E-Mail Updated 28OCT2021 | 04OCT2017]


Memorial Picture "...DICKINSON, Sidney E. "Bud"...My Father, Sidney E. Dickinson (Bud), served aboard the USS Tangier (AV-8). I would like to hear from his former Shipmates..." Contributed by Christian Dickinson cmdkson@iup.edu [07JUL2010]


Memorial Picture "...EGGERS, BM3 Eugene Emery (Gene) Sr...My grandfather, Eugene "Gene" Emery EGGERS, passed away December 24th, 1986 in Roseburg, Oregon. He served aboard the USS Tangier (AV-8) (1942-1946) as a Boatswain's Mate 3rd Class. I cannot tell you how much his service to our country has inspired me to do all I can to measure up to him. I miss him greatly and hope one day to be seen in HIS eyes - as a good man." Contributed by Charles Eggers pssylikker01@gmail.com [17MAR2015]


HALVORSON, Glen W. [Deceased] c/o His Son Jim Halvorson zapa@pacbell.net "...After looking through some papers of my father Glen W. Halvorson (deceased 1986) I found a card presented to him as part of a "rite of passage" for crossing the equator. His ship according to the card was the USS Tangier (AV-8). This lead to an internet search which resulted in my finding this site. As was/is the case with many who served in World War II, my father never offered any of his military history. So, I appreciate those folks who provide information through sites as this one. If anyone would like to drop me a note please feel free, I'd love to hear from you..." [23OCT2001]


Memorial Picture "...IRONS, Gene Clinton Shipmate Pix...My Grandfather, Gene Clinton Irons, served aboard the USS Tangier (AV-8) (1945-1946). If anyone has any pictures or served with my Grandfather, I would love to hear from you!..." Contributed by Wendy Hancock whancock@joneswalker.com [15NOV2019]


Memorial Picture "...KEITH, PhM Ellis...My Father, Ellis Keith, was a Pharmacist Mate during WWII, and flew on PBY's from the USS Tangier (AV-8), while she was in New Guinea, 1944, and USS Currituck (AV-7), during the Philipenes Invasion. I have had no success at finding out what squadrons were attatched to these two ships during 1944. Dad passed away in May 1956, of liver problems contracted while he served in the SW Pacific, and also had severe Battle Fatigue, or PTSD as us Nam Vets call it. Since I was only 8 years old when he passed on, I never really got to know much about him, and my Mother never talked about his wartime experiences. Any assistance would be of great help. If you also know of anyone that flew with these squadrons, I would appreciate being put in contact with them. Sincerely, Kenneth Keith delta_snipe@yahoo.com..." [01OCT2009]


PHILLIPS, CPO Jack O. Retired gaye@eaze.net "...I was sworn into the Navy September 19, 1939, in Dallas. Our group was sent to Norfolk, Va. for boot camp. After boot camp I applied for aviation mechanics school which was located in NAS Pensacola, Florida but I had to wait a month or so for a new class to be formed. In the meantime, I served as a lifeguard at the officers swimming pool. January 29, 1940 I was increased in rating to second class seaman. January 31, 1940 I arrived in Pensacola and started my aviation mechanics training. This lasted until the 1st of June 1940. When I finished the school I had become a first class seaman. In June 1940 I was assigned to VP-14 which was located on NAS North Island, San Diego, California. VP-14 was a PBY squadron. I was in the beaching crew. PBY's in 1940 did not have permanently attached wheels. They were strictly seaplanes. To bring the PBY up on the beach wheels had to be attached and that was the job of the beaching crew. After the wheels were attached a tractor would tow the plane up a ramp to bring it ashore. During the time in San Diego I passed the test to become an AMM3c (Aviation Machinist Mate 3rd Class). I was in VP-14 and San Diego almost a year. On May 1941 I was transferred to a "receiving ship" in San Francisco. (A receiving ship is a place where naval personal are held while being reassigned). On May 8, 1941 I was assigned to a still unfinished ship, the USS Tangier (AV-8). Later I was assigned to VS-65, a scouting squadron that was operating from Funa Futi in the Ellice Islands. I made Chief Petty Officer and was transferred to Naval Air Station, Bunker Hill, Indiana. From there I was sent back to the West Coast for redeployment over seas. Due to a physical defect in my right hand I was put in the Hospital in California and had surgery. This was in 1945. The surgery was not successful. Then came the Bomb, which ended the war. My discharge from the Navy was past due. I went home and started TCU on the GI Bill..." [23SEP2001]


Memorial Picture "...REED, Ira S...Who was serving on the USS Tangier (AV-8) on December 7, 1941, died in Placerville, CA on March 23, 2003. He is survived by his wife, Patricia, 3 sons, 8 step-sons, 5 step-daughters, 57 grandchildren and 22 great grandchildren. He retired from the Navy in 1955 as a Chief Petty Officer after 20 years of service. I have known Ira and Pat for only a brief time but I feel his passing should be noted on your site. His Navy service was a very important part of his life - his personal license plate reads: "IRA AV8". Rest in peace, Ira...Doug Printz _doug@dougprintz.com..." [02APR2003]


Memorial Picture "...WHITE, Rees...My Father, Rees White, served aboard the USS Tangier (AV-8) during Pearl and after that as a Radioman. Just curious if anyone remembers Dad. He was on deck watch the morning the bombs landed. He passed away in 1974. I am his daughter. Thanks...C. HAMMER starrynightso@excite.com..." [12MAY2004]


YOUNG, REAR ADMIRAL Howard Leyland (Deceased) http://www.usstarawavets.org/CV-40%20pages/young.bio.htm "...Howard Leyland Young was born in Brooklyn, New York, on November 23, 1901, the son of Howard and Minerva Catherine (Bolling) Young. He attended St. Albans School, Washington, D.C., prior to his appointment to the U.S. Naval Academy, Annapolis, Maryland, from the First District of Utah in 1919. As a Midshipman he participated in baseball. Graduated and commissioned Ensign on June 7, 1923, he subsequently progressed in rank, attaining that of Captain to date from May 1, 1943. On June 30, 1953, he was transferred to the Retired List of the U.S. Navy and was advanced to the rank of Rear Admiral on the basis of combat awards. Following graduation from the Naval Academy in 1923, he joined the U.S.S. Florida, and in June 1924 was detached for brief instruction at the Naval Torpedo Station, Newport, Rhode Island. In December of that year he reported aboard the U.S.S. Sturtevant, and after completing flight training at the NAS Pensacola, Florida, was designated Naval Aviator April 20, 1926. He was assigned in August to Observation Squadron Two, based on the USS Langley I (AV-3), and in June 1928 transferred to Fighting Squadron Two. He served at the NAS Pensacola, Florida, between August 1929 and June 1931, after which he had lighter-than-air training at the NAS Lakehurst, New Jersey. Qualifying as Naval Aviator (LTA) on September 28, 1932, he was assigned to the heavier-than-air unit attached to Airship Akron. Following the loss of the Akron off Barnegat Light in April 1933, he transferred to the Airship Macon for duty with her heavier-than-air unit. In August 1934 he joined the aviation unit of the U.S.S. Tuscaloosa, and from June 1935 until June 1936 served with Scouting Squadron Twelve on board that cruiser. For the next year he served with Bombing Squadron Two based on the U.S.S. Saratoga, and in June 1937 became Officer in Charge of the Experimental Divison, Operations Department, at the NAS Norfolk, Virginia. There he conducted rough water tests and accelerated tests of experimental and new production planes. In June 1939 he assumed command of Fighting Squadron Six based on the U.S.S. Enterprise, and in April 1941 became Commanding Officer of Air Group Six, attached to that aircraft carrier. At the time of the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, December 7, 1941, planes from the Enterprise, which was returning to Hawaii from Wake Island, were the only carrier based aircraft to take part in the Pearl Harbor action, arriving during the middle of the first Japanese attack. Air Group Six, under his command, made the first attack on enemy held territory in February 1942, during the raids on the Marshall and Gilbert Islands, and in the latter part of that month participated in the raids on Marcus and Wake Islands. He was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for heroic conduct in aerial battle, as Commander of a carrier air group, when, during the hours of darkness on the morning of February 1, 1942, in enemy waters, he successfully led the scouting and bombing squadrons one hundred and seventy-five miles over enemy controlled waters to their objectives, which all planes reached and attacked on schedule, surprising and inflicting great damage on the enemy. Again after successfully returning his squadrons to the carrier, he led another flight of bombers against a fully alerted enemy stronghold and this attack, which was made in the face of heavy anti-aircraft fire, caused great destruction to enemy installations" He also received a Letter of Commendation with authorization to wear the Commendation Ribbon and Combat "V" from the Commander in Chief, U.S. Pacific Fleet, and is entitled to the Ribbon for, and a facsimile of, the Presidential Unit Citation awarded the U.S.S. Enterprise. Returning to duty ashore in April 1942, he was assigned to the Advanced Carrier Training Group, Pacific Fleet, commanding that group from May to October 1942. He then became Commanding Officer of the newly-established Naval Air Station, Vero Beach, Florida, where he remained until July 1943. In August he assumed command of the USS Tangier (AV-8), and in January 1944 reported for fitting out duty in the U.S.S. Ommaney Bay at the Kaiser Shipbuilding Company, Vancouver, Washington. He assumed command of that escort aircraft carrier upon her commissioning February 2, 1944. For outstanding services while commanding that vessel he was awarded the Bronze Star Medal with Combat "V", and the Navy Cross. The citations follow, in part: Bronze Star Medal: "For meritorious achievement as Commanding Officer of the U.S.S. Ommaney Bay prior to and during operations against enemy Japanese forces on the Palau Islands in September and October 1944. Tireless and thorough in his detailed preparation for hazardous invasion operations, Captain Young welded his command into a strong fighting unit ready and competent to provide necessary air support for our assault forces despite previous lack of experience in combat. Under his skilled and forceful leadership, the officers, men and air personnel of the Ommaney Bay were responsible for severe and costly damage inflicted upon the enemy in facilities, installations and material destroyed, carrying out their missions with splendid teamwork despite difficult and unfavorable operating conditions..." Navy Cross: "For extraordinary heroism...in action against major ships of the Japanese Fleet in the Battle off Samar, October 25, 1944...Captain Young conducted his command gallantly and with courageous initiative, inspiring his officers and men and the Ommaney Bay air personnel throughout the critical and fiercely fought Battle for Leyte Gulf against a powerful force of Japanese battleships, cruisers and destroyers. His superb seamanship and indomitable fighting spirit in the face of overwhelming odds were important factors in turning potential defeat into a decisive victory over the Central Japanese Force..." During the invasion of Lingayen Gulf in the Philippine Islands, the Ommaney Bay was so badly damaged by Japanese bombers that she was later sunk by our own forces. Captain Young later related that "We took hits on the flight deck from a Japanese bomber, and fires broke out. The destroyers in the area couldn't help us much because of the fires. We started to get our (wounded) men off on these cots that were kept afloat by life jackets. There were several explosions, but the men and officers continued without a let up. Our casualties were less than 100". Other ships in the task force picked up the Ommaney Bay crewmen from the water and took them aboard. "Some of our men who were not wounded helped man guns aboard other ships," Young said. "That meant that our wounded were aboard ships taking part in the bombardments, which made it right tough for some of them." After the loss of the Ommaney Bay, Young was assigned in February 1945 to Fleet Air, West Coast, and during April and May 1945 had duty in the Office of the Chief of Naval Operations, Navy Department, Washington, D.C. Following service as Chief of Staff and Aide to Commander Fleet Air, Seattle, Washington, he reported in August 1946 as Commander FAW-4. He was Commanding Officer of the NAS Whidbey Island, Washington, from December 1946 until September 1947, when he joined the staff of Commander Carrier Division Six as Chief of Staff and Aide. Captain Young became Commanding Officer of the U.S.S. Tarawa on February 28, 1948, and was in command during the ship's 1948-49 World Cruise. In April 1949 he reported as Navy Liaison Officer with the Air Defense Command, U.S. Air Force, Mitchell Field, Long Island, New York. In September 1949 he transferred, in a similar capacity, to the Continental Air Command, Mitchell Field, continuing to serve there until July 1950, when he joined the staff of Commander Naval Forces, Far East. Returning to the United States in January 1951, he was in command of the NAS New Orleans, Louisiana, until September 1952, after which he had duty in connection with General Courts Martial in the Twelfth Naval District, with headquarters in San Francisco, California. He was serving there when ordered relieved of all active duty, pending his retirement, effective June 30, 1953. Rear Admiral Young died on April 4, 1954, in Chula Vista, California..." [22JUL2003]


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