VP-5 Squadron Shipmates
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ShipmateVP-209 ShipmatesShipmate

Memorial Picture "...Shipmate Pix ALLISON, John Philip...My father, John Philip Allison, served with VP-209 around 1943 - 1944. Based out of NAS Banana River, Florida - stationed in the NAF/NAAF Galapagos, Seymour Island, Ecuador. Attached to Combat Crew #14 and #16. Combat Crew #14: Winkler, Shear, Burek, Nugent, Rupp, Sandine, Skaggs, Coston, Berry, Norder, Allison, and Wrehn. Combat Crew # 16: A.B. Coates, Elles, Herbert, Whitelaw, Head, A.G. Press, J.P. Allison, S.R. Taylor, J.D. Carnicom, W.R. Smith, H. Arnoldsen and R. Siefried...Terry Allison terry.g.allison@gmail.com..." [25JUN2008]

AMERIGE, Charles "Chuck" chazam@optonline.net "...I served with VPB-209 as a Flight Engineer from October 1944 until June 1945 when the squadron was disestablished and I returned to the States via a kami-kazied CVE called "USS Sangamon." We flew triangular patrols from NAS Coco Solo, Panama, Canal Zone to NAF/NAAF Galapagos, Seymour Island, Ecuador to NAAF Corinto, Nicaragua. Some of the men I remember are AMM1 Carl Steele, Radioman Wayne Johnson, Ordinanceman Mando Venegas, Strickland and York (who taught me how to drive on the "Rock"). I went on to Flight Training at Cal Poly College in CA in August 1945 When the war ended I was released to inactive duty May of 1946. I'll be 78 in June if there is anyone around still kickin' and want to swap some scuttlebut feel free..." [28APR2004]


BENNETT, Court katncourt@aol.com "...I served with VPB-209 as a Flight Engineer (Plane Captain) from NAS Coco Solo, Panama, Canal Zone and NAF/NAAF Galapagos, Seymour Island, Ecuador from 1943 until the end of the war. I returned to the US on the USS Franklin with a squadron buddy, Jack(?) Carrol. Until recently when my wife and I moved to the San Francisco area I had lived in Los Angeles my entire life. Would be happy to hear from former Shipmates that are still around..." [BIO Updated 18JUN2004 | 18JUL99]

BLOCKSOM, JOE "...I WAS ASSIGNED TO VP-209 DURING WWII. MOST OF MY TIME WAS IN THE GALOPAGOS IN SOUTH AMERICA. I TRIED TO GET SOME GUYS TOGETHER FOR A Reunion WITH A BLURB IN THE VFW AND LEGION MAGAZINE. WASN'T VERY SUCCESSFUL. CALL ME ON 609.935.1663. WOULD LIKE TO HEAR FROM SOME OF YOU GUYS..." [26JAN99]

Memorial Picture "...BURKE, ADCS Donald K...My father, Donald K. Burke, passed away November 18, 2012. Dad served in the Navy for 28 years. He proudly served with VP-209, VPB-99, VPB-98, VPB-100, VPB-28, VW-4, VA-51, VA-44, VA-135, VA-15, HT-8, VP-44 and VP-8. I would love to hear from anyone that may have served with Dad..." Contributed by Donald Burke, Jr. donnieburke2@gmail.com [02JUN2017]


HENSHAW, Jim jhenshaw@pe.net "...I served as radio operator assigned to TTSA Atlantic Fleet 1942-1943 testing PBM's made at Martin's in Baltimore and delivery to squadrons being formed: i.e. VPB-201-VPB-225. Also had a few flights on testing the MARS built in 1942. Later assigned to FAW-3, NAS Coco Solo, Panama, Canal Zone and VPB-209 on Galapagos. I would be interested in contact from anyone serving in the above units during that period..." [05MAY98]

HERBERT, Hansel Kay lkherbert@sbcglobal.net "...I flew PBM's with VP-209, VPB-27, and VP-46 in 1942, 1944/1945 and 1948/1950. I would love to talk to some old Shipmates who is still around and interested in communicating..." [E-Mail Updated 11SEP2004 | 20MAY2003]

HERBERT, L. K. lkherbert@aol.com "...I joined VP-209 around the first of Dec. 1942 at NAS Norfolk, Virginia as an Ensign and immediately was shipped to NAS Banana River, Florida for training in PBM's, and returned to the squadron. In May of 1944, while flying with VP-209 at the Galopagos Islands, I was transferred to VPB-27 and was one of the Original Pilots in forming the Squadron...I was in VP-46 from September 1947 to March 1, 1950 - just three months before the Korean War started. I was discharge from VP-46 at NAS North Island, San Diego, California..." [24JAN99]


Memorial Picture "...JENKINS, AM2 Ken...My father, Ken Jenkins, served with VPB-206..." Contributed by V. K. Inman, Lt. Col. USMC Retired inmanvk@sas.upenn.edu [09SEP2016]


Memorial Picture "...Shipmate Pix Circa 1944 KEMPER, William James "Bill"...My father, William (Bill) James Kemper, passed away September 25, 1999. Dad served with VP-209...Patty Jessen pattiaj@leeschools.net..." [27JUN2008]


Memorial Picture Shipmate Pix "...LESTER, Thomas E....My good friend Tom Lester, who served as an Aviation Machinest third class in VPB-209 from about 1943 until 1946 passed away Thursday, April 7, 2005. He was the recipient of the Combat AirCrew Insignia, American Theatre Ribbon and Good Conduct Medal. Tom also served his hometown of Ilion, NY as a Village Trustee and GARNSEY, Jim jgarnse1@twcny.rr.com..." [18APR2005]


SEIFRIED, Morris R.(Bob) MRSeifried@worldnet.att.net "...I served with VP-209 from 1943 to 1944 flying out of NAS Norfolk, Virginia on anti-sub patrol and later out of the NAS Coco Solo, Panama, Canal Zone. I would like to know if any members of the squadron are still around. If so, let me hear from you..." [07OCT2001]


TYLER, Francis D. Jr. http://world.std.com/~shermie/vets/vets009.html "...Francis D. Tyler, Jr. PE, PBM, Patrol Bomber Mariner (PBM) US Navy Pilot. First, I think I should tell you how I got in the Navy. Some of you also registered for that first draft, back in October of 1940. I have a brother, two years younger; his number was in the first 100, while mine was 8809. He was called up in February of 1941. Then by the time I was classified 1A, I had seen a friend home on leave in a sparkling white uniform with beautiful Gold Wings on his chest. I decided that was the part of the service that I wanted to serve in, so I enlisted. I finally got sworn in, on December 30, 1941, twenty-three days after Pearl Harbor. In March of 1942, I received orders to report to the Naval Air Station at Lake Pontchartrain, north of New Orleans, Louisiana. I had become a Naval Aviation Cadet. In June I was transferred to the NAS Pensacola, Florida. Six months later I was designated an Ensign and Naval Aviator. I was then assigned to the Transitional Training Facility at NAS Banana River, Florida. Here we were introduced to the plane we would fly, the PBM, Patrol Bomber Mariner, as designated by the Navy. The Squadron in which I flew was VPB-209 was commissioned on January 1, 1943 and a full compliment of 15 planes was reached in June of the same year...." [09JUL2003]


WILLIAMSON, Jack O. c/o his Son David A. Williamson j.dwmson@earthlink.net "...I served with VP-209 at NAS Coco Solo, Panama, Canal Zone during WWII. I would like to hear from former Shipmates..." [E-Mail Updated 20DEC2010 | 29JAN2001]


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