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

ShipmateVP-20 ShipmatesShipmate

Memorial Picture "...BARLOW, William Murphy...William Murphy Barlow, 86, passed away Thursday, Feb. 14, 2008, in Alexandria, Va. Funeral: 11:30 a.m. Wednesday in Greenwood Chapel. Interment: Greenwood Memorial Park. The family will have a reception at Greenwood Funeral Home afterward. Visitation: 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday at Greenwood Funeral Home. Memorials: In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his memory to a charity of choice. William Murphy Barlow was born to May and Burel Barlow on Dec. 29, 1921, in Osage County, Okla. He attended school in Pawhuska and Stillwater, Okla., before joining the War National Guard, 45th Infantry Division, which mobilized in 1940. He then joined the United States Navy immediately after the attack on Pearl Harbor. Upon completing combat aircrew training in Florida, he was assigned to VPB-20 and deployed to the Pacific Theater, participating in 31 combat patrol bombing missions. On one such mission his aircraft sustained major damage from anti-aircraft fire. Though the aircraft was forced to crash land, his actions enabled the aircraft's safe return to its base at Jinamoc Seaplane Base, San Pedro Bay, Leyte Gulf, Philippines. Mr. Barlow earned the Distinguished Flying Cross and three U.S. Air Medals for his service..." WebSite: Alfred Hirton Barlow Families http://www.barlowgenealogy.com/ [14JUL2008]

Memorial Picture "...BYERS, Floyd J...My father, Floyd J Byers, flew with VPB-20 in the Philippines from approximately 1944 to May 1945. I have some of his records, but they are not complete. I believe he may have been shot down in mid May 1945. He died several years ago and I don't know of any way to find out what happened. I would like anyone who may have information to contact me. I'd like to pass on the information to my son. Thank you...His Son Dale Byers dalebyers@comcast.net..." [E-Mail Updated 08APR2004 | 22JUL2003]


Memorial Picture "...COX, LCDR Warren M...Warren M. Cox: August 5, 1919 - June 7, 2011 - On December 26, 1944 Mike Cox was flying his VPB-20 PBM Mariner on a night patrol mission when he spotted eight Japanese warships steaming in line. The Japanese raiding force consisted of the cruisers Ashigara and Oyodo and five destroyers. The Japanese force was attempting to shell the landing beach at Mindoro in the Philippines. Mike's bombs would not release and sometime later, after losing an engine, he landed his plane in Mangarin Bay, where he was immediately hit by gunfire from an enemy plane. Mike's plane captain was mortally wounded, the plane sank and the surviving crew members spent the night in the water before being picked up the next morning. As a result of his service in World War II Mike Cox was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross and three Air Medals. Warren Michael Cox, Lcdr. USN (Ret) of Coronado went on his final patrol June 7, 2011. He died of natural causes at Coronado Sharp Hospital. He was 91. Mike, as his friends all knew him, was born August 5, 1919 in Silver City, New Mexico to Marie and Warren Cox. His father was an auditor for the United States Forest Service. He attended New Mexico State Teacher's College High School in Silver City, New, Mexico. After graduation he enrolled at Bakersfield Junior College and, while a student there, obtained an appointment to West Point Military Academy. Unfortunately, he did not pass the physical. In 1939 he joined the Army and was stationed with the Eighth Calvary Regiment, First Calvary Division, at Fort Bliss, Texas. After serving one year in the Army Mike enrolled at the University of New Mexico, where he played on the Lobo Tennis Team. Subsequent to the December 7, 1941 attack on Pearl Harbor, Mike joined the Navy and was designated a naval aviator on November 13, 1942 at NAS Corpus Christi, Texas. Mike served two combat tours during WWII. The first was as navigator of a PBY Catalina in VP-23 operating out of Tulagi in the Solomon Islands. His second tour was as Patrol Plane Commander flying the PBM Mariner in VPB-20 out of the Philippines. In 1946 he married Virginia Day of Winslow, Arizona, a secretary for the Santa Fe Railway. They settled in Monterey, California while he attended navy line school. They had two children. Mike's navy duty assignments included Naval Air Transport Service (NATS), Guam, and NAS North Island, San Diego, California where he flew the P5M Marlin. He was also Ground Control Approach Officer at North Island and Combat Information Officer aboard the Carrier Midway (CVA-41) during the 1958-1959 Quemoy Matsu Taiwan Strait Crisis. His final duty station was as Administrative Officer of VRF-32 Squadron at North Island. Upon retirement from the Navy Mike continued his studies at San Diego State College. There he obtained a Bachelors Degree and teaching credential in mathematics. He then taught math analysis and geometry at the newly opened Castle Park High School in Chula Vista. In addition he taught night mathematics classes at Southwestern College and coached the Castle Park tennis team. While teaching at Castle Park Mike received a National Science Foundation stipend to attend summer sessions at Tulane University where he obtained a Master of Arts in Teaching in mathematics. Following his training in computer programming at Tulane University, Mike started the first computer programming class at Castle Park. During his days at Castle Park Mike enjoyed filming football games, playing tennis at the Hotel del Coronado and programming his TRS80 computer. After retirement from teaching he spent many hours with friends, whether it be on the tennis court, the Coronado Golf Course or at the Burger King Restaurant. He became a familiar sight on his three-wheeled bike around town. He always had a smile. "Mike really knew how to play the game of tennis," said Ben Press, former tennis professional at the Hotel Del Coronado. Press taught Mike's son Rusty when he was a junior tennis player. "Mike and I played many a doubles match together. He was a very smart doubles strategist," said Press. "He played late into life, until he could physically no longer run down the ball. He will be sorely missed by everyone who knew him." Mike Cox is survived by his son Glenn "Rusty" Cox of Coronado. His wife Virginia and daughter Michele predeceased him. At his request, Mike's ashes will be spread over the Gila National Forest outside of Silver City. A Celebration of Life will be held at 11 a.m., Saturday, August 13, at the Coronado Municipal Golf Course. As published in the online edition of the Coronado Eagle & Journal, Thursday, July 28, 2011..." Contributed by CK Glen F. Pritchett coronadokids@gmail.com [01AUG2011]

CUMMINGS, Bill sawdust@gnv.fdt.net "...I was a Flt Engr (AMM-F) in VPB-20 in the Pacific from 9/43 thru 4/46. Used the tenders Half-Moon and Currituck frequently. Anyone know of Bill Fox's whereabouts? Any Reunions planned? Would like to find a photo of the old twin-tail PBM-3..." [21NOV99]


Memorial Picture "...FRITZ, Bill...I am sorry to report that Bill Fritz has recently died in Lansing, MI. He was with the original VPB-20 Squadron. His executive officer was Mikey Weisner who later became an Admiral. He was aboard Half Moon, USS Currituck (AV-7), USS Tangier (AV-8) and others. He survived an amazing crash. Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions. PS3 Tony Medina USCGR PSU 309 secular@military.com...A.D. Medina admedina@hotmail.com..." [13JUL2005]


Memorial Picture "...GOVEA, AOM2 Raymond R...Raymond Govea passed away on October 27, 2008. Raymond served with VPB-20 (Crew 9) in the South Pacific from 1944 to 1945. Thinking of you today on Veterans' Day - "Non sibi sed patriae" (Not self but country)..." Contributed by Jeff Saunders saunderj@yahoo.com [12NOV2010]

GOVEA, AOM2 Raymond R. c/o Wenonah Govea coachie@sonic.net "...I served with VPB-20 (Crew 9) in the South Pacific from 1944 to 1945. I would like to contact any living Shipmates..." [20OCT2007]


JENNESS, AOMB1 Robert robertjenness@hotmail.com "...I served with VPB-20 and flew as a crew member. Our Commanding Officer was R.R. Harper. Our campaign's included NAB Morotai (11/8/44 to 11/21/44), Philippines Islands (11/21/44 to 7/16/45), Jinamoc Seaplane Base, San Pedro Bay, Leyte Gulf, Philippines (11/21/44 to 1/7/45), Lingayen Gulf (1/9/45 to 2/1/45), Mangarin Bay, Mindoro (2/12/45 to 3/7/45 and 3/7/45 to 4/25/45), Manila Bay (7/9/45 to 7/16/45) and Tawi Tawi Bay (4/25/45/ to 7/8/45). We participated in the landing and invasion of Lingayen Gulf, Philippine Islands. While based at Tawitawi Bay, the squadron covered the Tarakan, Brunei Bay and Balikpapen operation. My age as of November 18, 2009 will be 86 years. Here is a list of fellow crew members: LT(jg) T.G. Mulroy (PPC/1st Pilot), ENS G.R. Polski (Navigator), ENS R. Rogers, AMM2 G.A. Healy (Plane Captain), AMM2 G.B. Pickett (1st Mechanic), ARM2 E.D. Dake (1st Radio), ARM3 L.A. Toellner (2nd Radio), AOM3 M.H. Sexton (Ordnanceman), AOMB1 R.C. Jenness (Air Bomber), S2 Gun, L.L. Ott and S2 T.V. Mullens (Sea Gun)..." [28SEP2009]


KNAPP, Lawrence Jr. c/o His Daughter Winonah Sacks wsacks61@hotmail.com "...I would really appreciate any information I can get that will help me "flesh out" my Father's time in the Navy during WWII. My Dad, Lawrence Knapp Jr., was a pilot of PBMs in the Pacific in 1944 and 1945. His log book has stamps in it that say VPB-2 OTU#3 NAS Banana River, Florida. Signed by B Q. (?)Moynahan. Later in the log book there are stamps saying VPB-98. These are signed by R. W. Leeman, Commander,USN. Also, I have a voucher for per diem dated September 4, 1945 that named VPB-20. I can't understand all the changes in numbers but I would love to hear from anyone who had anything to do with any of these squadrons or who has ever heard of my father. Thank you..." [07APR2003]


MANGES, Milton jd0715@aol.com "...Served VPB-20 China Korea So. Pacific 1944 thru 45. I was a ARM 2C. Looking for anyone who served with me..." [14DEC97]


O'KEEFE, Paul D. "Paddy" c/o Dee Ann Cooper deeanncooper@yahoo.com "...Daughter of Paul "D" O'Keefe ("Paddy") formerly of VP-20 "Tough Kitties" 1944-1946..." [28JAN2009]


PHILLIPS, Cass E. cassing@aol.com


WALLING, AMM3 John A. [Deceased] C/O Larry Jackson lj2000dj@aol.com "...I am looking for any information regarding my uncle, John A. Walling AMM3/c, who was assigned to VPB-20. His plane was shot down March 29, 1945 in the South China sea. I am seeking any informaiton regarding the type of plane, the location in which it went down, etc. I am informed that there were no survivors. Your assistance in my search for information is greatly appreciated. Respectfully..." [19DEC2000]


Return
"VP-20 Summary Page"