VP-117 Shipmates
ALIANELL, Jack c/o His Daughter Kathleen (Alianell) Walko rawalko@mpinet.net "...My father (Jack Alianell) was with VPB-117 Crew #8 until some time in 1945. I don't know much because, like most of the men who go to war, dad never has talked about it much. I learned more going to a Reunion than from him. I hope to get ahold of his photo album and a book that was put together by someone in the group. Anyone looking for info on someone from VPB-117 should go to the next reunion, which I didn't see listed but will try to get Rip to put the info on the site. Good luck to those who are searching..." [21NOV2001]
BRADSHAW, Jay c/o Jay Jerome Bradshaw klepto51@yahoo.com "...My father Jay served in the Pacific Theater during WW2 he flew belly turret on PB4Y-1's. He was a replacement crew in VPB-117. He also flew with VD-3 and VPB-121. I am looking for anyone that remembers my father, and can help me fill in some blanks. I am writting a history of his life for our family. I appreciate any information that can be provided..." [27FEB2007]
CARTER, CAPT Jan B. https://naval-air.org/flightlog/moreinfo.asp?UID=1944 "...CAPT Jan B. Carter, USNR - NFL Number: 1944 - Date of Birth: 6/17/1918 - Date In: 2/9/1942 - Date Out: 7/1/1966 - City, State: Little Rock, AR - School Attended: Univ. of Arkansas - Aircraft Flown: PBY, PB4Y-1, PB4Y-2, P2V-5, GB-2 - Ship or Unit: VB-102, VPB-117 and VP-22 - Pilot Desg.: Patrol Plane Cdr.- Theaters, Campaigns, etc.: WWII-Guadalcanal - Associations/Service Organizations: APWA NSPE Amer. Cancer Society U of Ark. AlumniAssn - Highest personal decoration or award: Dist. Flying Cross-4 - Significant Achievements: CO of VP-791, 1958-60. 5,000 flight hours. In Memoriam? No..." [10DEC2005]
"...CLARK, JW...Thursday, July 11, 2002 - JW Clark - Memorial services for Mr. JW Clark, 81, will be held at 10 a.m. Friday, July 12, 2002, at Rose-Neath Funeral Home in Minden with Dr. Ronald Prince officiating. Mr. Clark, a native of DeRidder, passed away Tuesday, July 9. He spent his early life working a ranch with his family. He joined the Navy during World War II and became a naval aviator in 1943. He was an officer and a pilot for VPB-117, "The Blue Raiders." His squadron became the most highly successful bombing squadron in Naval history, leading Mr. Clark to be decorated multiple times with honors including the Distinguished Flying Cross..." WebSite: Press-Herald http://www.press-herald.com/obits/2002obits.html [19DEC2005] "...CLARK, JW...Thursday, July 11, 2002 - JW Clark - Memorial services for Mr. JW Clark, 81, will be held at 10 a.m. Friday, July 12, 2002, at Rose-Neath Funeral Home in Minden with Dr. Ronald Prince officiating. Mr. Clark, a native of DeRidder, passed away Tuesday, July 9. He spent his early life working a ranch with his family. He joined the Navy during World War II and became a naval aviator in 1943. He was an officer and a pilot for VPB-117, "The Blue Raiders." His squadron became the most highly successful bombing squadron in Naval history, leading Mr. Clark to be decorated multiple times with honors including the Distinguished Flying Cross..." WebSite: Press-Herald http://www.press-herald.com/obits/2002obits.html [19DEC2005]
"...My Grandfather, LT(jg) JW Clark, passed away in 2002. He served with VPB-117. He was proud of his squadron and was awarded the Navy Cross. His and his fellow crewmates' bravery will forever be remembered by his family..." Contributed by Chris Clark chrisclark@christopheraclark.com [30APR2011]
"...CROFFORD, S1C A. B. Jr......My Uncle, A. B. Crofford, lost his life (KIA) December 20th, 1944 while serving with VPB-117. I was named in memory of him and wanted to know more about him and his military service. Thank you..." Contributed by A. B. Crofford croffordab@comcast.net [PIX Added 09DEC2015 | 08DEC2015]
DIXSON, Gilbert dgiljune@capital.net "...I served with VPB-108, VPB-117, VPB-197, and VPB-200 as replacement crews in 1944-1946. I wonder if any of the old timers remember me. I was the baseball team catcher..." [07OCT2001]
ENSIGN BROWNLEE, M F c/o His Son Jim Brownlee rkymtnnews@aol.com "...Looking for any information about my Dad (died with his aircraft and crew on 22 JUN 45). He served with VP-197 and VP-117..." [27APR2000]
EICHENBERG, A. E. [Deceased] c/o His Son Terry Eichenberg terrysffs@aol.com "...My father, A. E. Eichenberg, served with VPB-117 on Crew 16. Looking for information about Dad and his crew. Thanks..." [21SEP2002]
EICHENBERG, Larry B572673@aol.com "...My father was in VP-117 crew 16. His pilot was Ltjg Carter. I am looking for more information on his crew and the Blue Raiders. I have his log book but it doesn't list any other crew members. Any information would be helpful...See crew picture below..." [30OCT97]
GORTON, Walter wgorton@pioneeris.net "...I would like to receive information on Bombing Squadron VB-117. On June 6, 1944, there was a plane crash at Camp Kearney, CA. I was a survivor of that crash..." [01OCT99]
KILGORE, ENS J.C. c/o Jeffrey A. Kilgore jakilgore@bellsouth.net "...My Father, Ensign J.C. Kilgore, served with VPB-117 with LT Walker and Ensign Nagel, amongst others. They were all members of Crew - 12. My Father passed away on August 9, 2001..." [12MAR2006]
"...LARSON, Kenneth E...In November of 1942, he joined the Navy and was assigned to the Naval Air Corp, Operating first, anti-submarine patrol from Cuba up the coast to Virginia, next serving in Navy B-24 s (VPB-117) the first radar night patrol bombing squadron in the navy, serving on Tinian in the Marianas, night bombing Iwo Jima, then Tacoban Air Strip on Letye, Philippine Islands, patrolling the area north to Formosa, later operated off the air strip on Mindora, Philippine Island patrolling the China Sea to French Indo China (now Vietnam)..." http://www.wagnerfuneral.com/obits/k_larson.htm [24FEB2003]
"...MAGOON, AOM Richard M...My step-father, Richard M. Magoon, was a AOM Bombardier, VPB-117, Crew 16, under LT(jg) Jan Carter. (Pictured page 31 "Above an Angry Sea, U S Navy B-24 Liberator and PB4Y-2 Privateer" by Alan C. Carey). Just to note, dad rarely talked about any war experiences unless with shipmates during heavy drinking... Great dad, he finished 23 years in the Navy (as a Fire Control Technician.) He passed away October 14, 1993. Miss him a bounch. Bought him a memorial brick at the Museum on Ford Island..." Contributed by George W. Carte gcarte@cableone.net [25SEP2017]
MEHRON, Martin mehron05@comcast.net "...I served with VPB-117. Does anyone know what year CAPTAIN E. O. Rigsbee, Jr passed away..." [18JAN2011]
MULLEN, Joe P. c/o his son Mike Mullen Live2Brew@aol.com "...My father, Joe P. Mullen, was a member of VPB 117, Crew 10, stationed on Tinian and Leyte October 1944 to June 1945. I am looking for info/pictures of his plane Ready, Willing, and Able. I believe the S/N was 38739 and it crashed on Feb 11 at Hammer Field on Mindora. Any information on the plane or squadron would be greatly appreciated..."
"...I have since discovered that Dad's plane, Ready, Willing, and Able was B# 38759, not 38739. The aircraft was piloted by Lt Carter (Crew 16) when it crashed on 11 Feb 45..."
NAGEL, Kenneth P. nagelassociates@aol.com "...Was LT(jg), pilot Patrol Bombing Squadron, VPB-117. Left the U.S. in August of 1944 and served several months at Tinian in the Mariana Islands. Then joined the battle for the Philippines in December 1944. Returned to Inactive duty November 1945 and remained in th Standby Reserve until 1961..." [E-Mail Updated 06OCT2000 | 13MAY2000]
OWENS, Robert C. Jr. Rcowens126@aol.com "...Enlisted in USNR V-12 College training program Jan 1943 but was deferred to graduate from Wichita Falls High School. After a year at North Texas Agri Col, Arlington, TX transferred to V-5 Aviation Cadet program and stationed at several universities for flight prep but never flew as a navy pilot. Transferred to aerial gunnery training in NAS Jacksonville, Florida. Then joined aircrew in Jan 1945 and trained in PB4Y-1 and PB4Y-2's. Lt. W.D. Crawford was PPC of our crew with Ens. P.L.Smith and S.D. Henderson co-pilots. Joined VP-117 as relief crew in May 1945 at McGuire Field, Mindoro, PI. Completed 23 combat patrols over French Indo China and was awarded DFC and Air Medal with three gold stars before Japanese surrender. Crew was credited with shooting down 2-1/2 fighters. After discharge graduated as engineer from Cal-Aero Tech, Glendale, CA and was employed at Lockheed in Burbank, CA in Oct 1948. Worked on design of Constellation, Electra, TriStar, Orion and F-117A Stealth Fighter. Served as an FAA Designated Engineering Representative (DER) on FAA certification of the above comercial aircraft. Retired after 42 years at Lockheed. Holds certificates as Private Pilot w/Instr rating and A&P Mechanic. Still an active pilot and current in an experimental homebuilt Van's RV-6 built by son and myself. Attend annual Reunions of VP-117 Association with 4 crewmembers..." [07FEB2001]
"...SCHAUBER, AMM3 Harold "Bud"...My father, Harold "Bud" Schauber passed away in 2013. He served with VPB-117 (CASU-F-56) (1944-1945) in the Philippines and Admiralty Islands. I would be interested in hearing from anyone who may have known him..." Contributed by Dennis Schauber schauberd@gmail.com [16JUN2020]
SCHAUT, Bernard c/o Tim Schaut lsubball04@aol.com "...My Grandfather, Bernard Schaut, served with VPB-117 Crew 15. I would like to hear from former Shipmates who served with my Grandfather..." [19JAN2007]
SELLMAN, Norman c/o Richard Brown richardBrown@worldnet.att.net "...I am trying to contact crew members from VPB-117 from 1944 to 1945. This message is being sent for Norman Sellman who is trying to contact some of his crew members..." [19FEB99]
"...STANG, LT Harold...Looking for photos and information on my Father LT Harold Stang. Dad flew in VP/VPB-117 Crew 14. Dad crashed in December 31, 1944. His copilot (Benn) was killed. The balance of crew survived. Any help or information would be appreciated. Dad served 27 years in the Navy before his passing. Repectfully. Harold Stang, Jr. txranger4802@comcast.net..." [27MAR2006]
STRICKLAND, R. C. c/o His Grandson Gray Strickland graybans@yahoo.com "...My grandfather was a member of VPB-117, the Blue Raiders. He was a member of Crew 17. He was a Chief Petty Officer, and Plane Captain of that crew..." [25DEC2000]
SWINK, William A "...VP-117 Mr. William A Swink, 87128 Golf Club Dr, Diamondhead, MS 39525-3707, 601-255-3738..." http://www.warships1.com/reunion_airgroup.htm [21DEC98]
TROUP, Robert James c/o his grand daughter Sarah McLeroy danbeer@csinet.net "...I would love to hear from anyone who knew my grandfather Robert James Troup, the name of the plane he flew in, etc... He began flying with 117 on April 30, 1945..."
TURNER, Edward H. c/o His Grandson-In-Law Bob Sutton blsutton@ridgenet.net "...My Grandfather-in-law (and great grandfather to my two little boys) served in patrol bomber during WWII. He didn't remember many details and to be honest didn't appear to enjoy talking about it too much. His name is Edward H. Turner and through this website I may have found him in a picture of VPB-117. Now that I have a few more memory aids I hope to have further conversations to document the important family history for my two boys..." [04NOV2000]
YATES, Clinton A. c/o his son Clint Yates cyates@cablelynx.com "...My father was in VPB-117 Crew 2. Does anyone have any information about the other members of his crew? I have some info about some crews from my dads log book..." [E-Mail Updated 03MAY2003 | E-Mail Updated 29AUG99 | 07APR99]
"VP-117 Summary Page"
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