Three weeks were spent at Agana NAB under the direction of the Commander. Carrier Air Group Operations and supervision of Commander Air Force, Pacific Fleet. Subordinate Command. Forward Area. Refresher training in rocket firing. field carrier landings. and formation tactics was had in a few TBM and FM-2 aircraft made available by CASU 43. Refresher carrier landings were limited to two per pilot. during a three day cruise on the USS THETIS BAY ( CVE-90). due to inclement weather. Since a sufficient number of type aircraft were not available all pilots took advantage of permitted flights in F4U Corsairs. S132C HelIdivers and F6F HelIcats to familiarize themselves with one or more of these aircraft.
USS THETIS BAY ( CVE-90)
Due to overcrowded conditions at NAB Agana. the bunking facilities, especialy for the enlisted men. were not favorable. During the first two weeks the men were forced to live in tents but then obtained quonset huts similar to the officers. Housing was a problem due to the small particles of red dust, carried by the constant 15 knot breeze. sifting onto all items.
Food and water demonstrated the limitations of a new and advanced island base. Weekly rations of beer and coke for the men, and the refreshments available at the Officer's Club. together with the nightly movies. enemy cave explorations and baseball. furnished recreation for all. A party was held at the excellent palm studded sandy beach where officers and men often went swimming.
CASU organizations were found generally cooperative. Air groups received more attention from these organizations than did VC squadrons. CASU 38 at Kaneohe was exceptional in its high spirit of cooperation and initiative. Transportation of personnel and material in change of stations was accompanied by difficulty in obtaining adequate facilities at the proper time. As a consequence the Squadron usually arrived at a new base after darkness, making the unloading of gear and determination of quarters. etc.. most troublesome.
VC-93 onboard the Petrof Bay - taken at Kerama Retto April 1945
Click on picture for a larger image - Use Back button to return
On 10 March the Squadron embarked on the USS PETROF BAY at Apra Harbor. Guam. for combat duty. relieving VC-76. The ship proceeded to Ulithi Harbor. Western Carolines. for staging with the forces gathered to attack Okinawa. On March 21, the ship sortied from Ulithi and from 25 March to 26 May kept station southeast of Okinawa-
The USS Petrof Bay's Bridge Courtesy of Robert Allison
During this period the Squadron flow all types of missions against Kerama Retto, Okinawa Shim & Miyako Jima and Ishigaki Shima. as well as flying patrols while the PETROF BAY escorted the oiler group servicing the fleet. During the operation the Squadron, in the first CVE unit to arrive at the operating area and one of the last to leave, remained aboard ship for a period of 70 consecutive days. With the exception of only a few days, flight operations were continually conducted over this period.
Seven VC-93 TBM's returning to the Petrof Bay from bombing Miyako - 1945
An overall Glossy Sea Blue FM-2 of VC-93 is chocked and tied down aboard USS Petrof Bay on 11 May 1945.
The four leaf clovers painted on the tail and starboard wing tip and individual aircraft number are in white.
Pilots in the Readyroom of the USS Petrof Bay
Courtesy of Robert Allison
Identification of the men in the picture from left to right:
Dunsweiler, Norman (dad), Lt.
Theivauht, Sherwood, Ens.
Bumgartner, Paul, Ens. (back ground)
Lieb, Varney, Lt.
Reid, Robert Lt. (jg)
Siewert, William (Yankee) Ens.
Sullivan, Robert, Lt (jg) (Back ground)
Thomas, Charles, Ens.
Scherer, Ivan, (Ike)
LaMarco, Anthony, Ens.
Dunnagan, Wilis, (Bugs), Lt. (jg)
Gordan L. Jordan on the left and Leo Landon is on the right at a photo shop in El Centro Calif.
The bottles are props.
Gordan flew with Bob Aylsworth.
Gordan's best friend in the squadron was Norman Carnes who was Lyman Jeffreys' radioman/gunner.
Next page