NOTICE: "...VP-2 Memorial Project for NAS Whidbey Island, Washington. We are looking for Maintenance and Structural Manuals for the P2V7. The Memorial is going to be for all the Squadrons who were at NAS Whidbey Island, Washington and the Shipmates who Died in the Operation of the Squadrons. So if you know or if you hear of Manuals please let me know so we can get bird to Nas Whidbey. SEXTON, Guy Capecod2443@aol.com..." [10FEB2002]

"...Patrol squadrons finally recognized - By Jessie Stensland - Sep 16 2006 - Whidbey News Times http://www.whidbeynewstimes.com/..." Forwarded by Jim Campbell blandjcampbell@aol.com [26NOV2006]

Hundreds of people traveled thousands of miles to be in Oak Harbor Thursday morning.

The first-of-its-kind Patrol Squadron Memorial was dedicated to aircrews past and present, and presented to the Oak Harbor community, in a dignified and emotional ceremony at the Veterans Park on East Pioneer Way. It began with a flyover by a P-3 Orion.

Linda MacDonald and her husband, Bob, flew to Oak Harbor from California to be at the ceremony with their two daughters. Linda said they came to the event in memory of her brother Dale Armour, whose name is engraved in a granite wall of the memorial along with the 84 other servicemen who lost their lives in Whidbey-based patrol squadron operations.

The memorial has deep meaning for the family.

"It's a culmination," Linda said. "It's closure. It gives us a place to come now to remember him."

Armour, a 22-year-old member of VP-42, was in a VP-2 Neptune aircraft that disappeared while on patrol in Alaska in 1967. The site of the crash wasn't found until 16 years later.

The MacDonald family was among more than 600 people who attended the ceremony. It coincided with a Reunion of Patrol Squadron Two Association, which is the group behind the memorial.

Capt. David Taylor, Commander of Patrol and Reconnaissance Wing 10, spoke passionately during the ceremony about the history of the Navy's patrol and reconnaissance squadrons, which is a history inextricably linked to Oak Harbor. The first patrol squadron at Whidbey Island Naval Air Station flew PBY Catalinas in the 1940s.

Taylor spoke about how patrol squadrons helped to win the Cold War by "playing a cat-and-mouse game" with Soviet submarines and planes.

"Anywhere we could chase the enemy bear, we wore the enemy down," he said.

Yet Taylor said the patrol mission is still valid today, even with the end of the Cold War.

"This is a time of great challenge and change to the patrol and reconnaissance squadrons," he said, "our Navy and our nation."

Taylor also spoke about the bronze statue of a 1960s era airman, which is the centerpiece of the memorial.

"I see a proud warrior of the past," he said, "but I also see in his face the warrior of the present."

Floyd Palmer, president of the Patrol Squadron Two Association, turned over ownership of the memorial to the citizens of Oak Harbor with an official presentation to Mayor Patty Cohen.

Afterward, Palmer explained that the effort to build a memorial started when he took a tour of Whidbey Island Naval Air Station more than six years ago and realized that there was nothing to recognize patrol squadrons. It took the work of many members of the association and money from many generous donors to finally make his dream a reality.

During her speech, Cohen said the patrol squadrons didn't receive as much recognition as others in the military because "their missions were always classified," but she said they were definitely "so deserving of a permanent place in town."

The Northwest Navy Ceremonial Band ended the ceremony by playing Taps. Afterward, the audience got the chance to look at the memorial close up.

Robert Lenson, a member of the VP-2 Association, attended the event with his wife, Raye. He was the skipper of VP-17 in 1964.

Husband and wife agreed that such a memorial was long overdue.

"It means a great deal," Raye said. "We mourn the loss of crewmates. This recognition is important."

© Copyright 2005 Whidbey News Times

"...LEFT PICTURE: Appeared on page 2 of the 9-27 issue of the Northwest Navigator, NAS Whidbey Edition. This is the Northwest Navy newspaper for the region. RIGHT PICTURE: Win Stites..." Forwarded by McLAUGHLIN, LT Bob banddmcl1964@msn.com [04OCT2006]



"...On 9-14-2006 a Patrol Squadron Memorial dedication ceremony was held in Oak Harbor, WA. In attendance were approximately 600 past and present members of the VP community that had served at NAS Whidbey Island and the speakers were a mix of community and military leaders as well as those who had served. If you would like further info for your website I'll be glad to send what I have. Attached are a few photos..." Contributed by GOODMAN, AWCS Edward E. (Ed) Retired edusnret@gmail.com [25SEP2006]



"...If you don't get the "Wings" magazine, there is an article in it about a new Patrol Squadron memorial being built. Here are the highlights...Contributed by LARSON, LCDR John Retired oriondriver1975@yahoo.com..." [01NOV2005]

In 2004 the city of Oak Harbor approved the placement of the memorial in the city's Veterans Memorial Park.

VP squadrons have served at NAS Whidbey Island, Washington since 1942. In the Cold War periods, when most other active duty military forces were limited to exercises, simulators and war games to train for their various warfare specialties, VP aircraft and crews flew all-weather missions around the clock keeping track of the growing fleet of Soviet submarines in our waters and in theirs. VP crews did much of their training against live Soviet submarines. In addition to the ASW mission, VP crews were responsible for ocean reconnaissance, surveillance, mining and electronic warfare operations.

The Memorial has a single, simple purpose: the recognition of the contribution to freedom that the men and women of the NAS Whidbey Island, Washington patrol squadron community have made in over 60 years of service. Hundreds of Whidbey Is personnel have been lost in the VP operations since 1942. Among them are those whose names will appear on this Memorial from the Whidbey Is. P2V community.

The Whidbey Patrol Squadron Memorial is dedicated to all USN personnel who served in Navy patrol squadrons at NAS Whidbey Is. and to those Whidbey P2V airmen who lost their lives in the line of duty in VP operations.

The Memorial design consists of a life-size bronze statue of an airman in flight gear standing in front of a 3-section granite wall. Featured on the wall are an outline of a P2V, the Memorial dedication, a map depicting deployment sites, a list of Whidbey VP units and the names of those who perished in P2V flight ops.

Surrounding the walls are bricks inscribed in accordance with the wishes of donors who purchase the bricks. Brick purchases form the primary means of fund-raising for the Memorial which is scheduled for dedication in mid 2006. See http://www.patron2.com/files/wpsm.html for info on the Memorial, a listing of the 59 VP squadrons that served at Whidbey, the history of Whidbey VP operations and info on the Catalinas, Venturas, Mariners, Privateers, Neptunes, Marlins, and Orions involved.

Widespread support and donations for this memorial are encouraged. Brick orders and donations should be sent to Vic Gulliver, 1900 Franklin Dr, Glenview, IL 60026. Inquires including requests for brick-order-forms by mail should be sent to the VPSM Committee, 1376 West Beach Rd, Oak Harbor, WA 98277 or via email: wpsm@comcast.net.

"...The following squadrons are all listed on the wall of the forthcoming Whidbey Patrol Squadron Memorial. The memorial, to be built in Oak Harbor, WA and dedicated in September 2006 includes a comemorative wall and a lifesize bronze statue of a typical VP aircrewman ready for flight.

If you are, or know any members of these squadrons, please contact us so we can keep everyone informed of the memorial progress. More information is available at http://www.patron2.com/files/wpsm.html.

VP-1, VP-2, VP-4, VP-6, VP-12, VP-17, VP-20, VP-27, VP-29, VP-32, VP-40, VP-42, VP-43/VPB-43, VP-46, VP-47, VP-50, VP-53/VPB-53, VP-57, VP-61/VPB-61, VP-62/VPB-62, VP-69, VPB-91, VP-107, VPB-112, VPB-115, VP-120/VPB-120, VP-122/VPB-122, VP-130/VPB-130, VP-131/VPB-131, VPB-135, VP-136/VPB-136, VPB-138, VPB-139, VPB-144, VPB-148, VPB-199, VPB-212, VP-772, VP-812, VP-931, VP-AM-1, VP-AM-2, VP-AM-5, VP-ML-1, VP-ML-2, VP-ML-4, VP-ML-61, VP-HL-7, VP-HL-10 and VP-HL-12.

It is a great Memorial, honoring all who served with NAS Whidbey Island, Washington Patrol Squadrons.

Al Hall, WPSM Committee, VP-2 1950-1952...Al Hall alandmarylou@comcast.net..." [24MAY2005]

"...A project is underway to create a Memorial recognizing the contributions of all Whidbey-based VP personnel. Please advise your friends, and consider supporting this worthwhile effort to honor our Shipmates. Whidbey Patrol Squadron Memorial - Veteran's Memorial Park - Oak Harbor, WA. Completion scheduled for Summer 2006. This memorial is dedicated to all United States Naval personnel who served in Navy Patrol Squadrons based at NAS Whidbey Island, to their families, and to those Whidbey P2V airmen who lost their lives in the line of duty in VP operations. For more info: http://www.patron2.com/files/wpsm.html..." Contributed by Doug Donohue nvsoar@charter.net [24DEC2004]

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NOTICE: "...Erle "Scotty" Scott looking for fellow VP-29 members who participated in Atomic tests. Contact Scotty at 818-887-0529 or write him at 22034 Indepencecia Woodland Hills, CA 91364..." Contributed by k6aiz@wgn.net [28MAY98]

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NOTICE: "...1941 to September of 1944...No plane crews, just officer personnel and enlisted personnel of Patrol Bombing Squadron twenty nine. If you see your name or see someone you know, please contact me...." Contributed by Larry Katz papakatz@sbcglobal.net [09JUN99]

"...I heard from Ray Wiese's daughter in Shiner, Texas. Had long conversations with her and her Dad. Also a few more. Harry Babb was my 2nd radio man in one of the crews. I flew with, Joe. T. Gardner lives now in Fla., Geoff Cooper lives in Ill....Not many of us are still around. Some are the original VP-101, and VP-21, and VP-22......Not many of us around......Thanks again ...Larry Katz papakatz@sbcglobal.net..." [14OCT2000]

LTCDR Lauren E. Johnson USN
LT John V. R. Colosimo A-V(s)
LT Gustavus Babson A-V.(s)
LT Joseph T. Gardner A-V(g)
LT Henry T. Snelling A-V(s)
LT (MC) John H. Wigton USN
LT Jack S. Hall A-V(N)
LT Arthur W. Stanwood A-V(N)
LT Joseph G. Cummings A-V(N)
LT William H. Simon, Jr A-V(N)
LT(jg) Herman R. Hougland A-V(N)
LT Gardner L. Burt A-V(N)
LT(jg) Francis M. Conrad A-V(N)
LT(jg) Rollins L. Sauvage A-V(N)
LT(jg) LeSeuer G. Smith, Jr A-V(N)
LT(jg) Frederick W. Warbois A-V(N)
LT(jg) Robert A. Maxwell A-V-(N)
ENS Charles D. Lasley A-V(N)
ENS Joseph G. Wickham A-V(N)
ENS Billy S. Duke A-V(N)
ENS Lewis J. Gaither, Jr A-V(N)
ENS Milton C. Evans A-V(N)
ENS Floyd R. Parmenter, Jr A-V(N)
ENS Ira A. Rrancis USN
ENS James L. Crane A-V(N)
ENS William W. Ragan A-V(N)
ENS Herbert E. Roberts A-V(N)
ENS Kenneth D. Peterson A-V(N)
ENS James L. True A-V(N)
ENS Howard Vallade A-V(N)
ENS Fred E. Jones A-V(G)
ENS Robert W. Coon A-V(N)
ENS Theodore W. Walkup A-V(N) 337673
Adolphs, Nathaniel Samuel ARM2/C, USN
Allen, Jesse Wieford AOM2/C USN
Babb, Harry Clark,Jr. ARM3/C V6 SV
Bailey, Milton Edward AMM1/C V2
Barrett, John Arthur AMM1/C USN
Barta, Paul Stephen AMM3/C V6
Beck, Edward Norman AMM2/C, V6
Becker, Harry Raymond AOM1/C V6
Bellshek, Wassil William AMM1/C V2
Bell, Howard Ernest AMM2/C USN
Blake, Clyde Cox ARM1/C USN
Castille, George Joseph, Jr AOM1/C(T) V3
Colbert, Edward Nathaniel ARM1/C USN
Colgin, Robert John, Jr AMM/C
Comeaux, James Nester AOM2/c USN
Cook,Frederick William AMM1/C USN
Cooper, Geoffrey Edward ARM2/C USN
Cooper, Ned Nathaniel AOM1/C
Davis, Bernard ACMM (AA)(T)
Dickman, Burnell Alvin AMM1/C
Dillard, Fred Gilman ARM3/C
Dohrmann, Clifton Ernest ACMM(T) USN
Drooger, Jack Alden ARM3/C
Duckworth, Philip AOM2/C
Dudgeon, Lyle Hayden ACRM(T) USN
Duran, Melesio, Jr ARM2/C
Dyer, James Wiley AMM1/C USN
Edwards, Charles Wegner ACMM(AA) USN
Farkas, George John AMM3/C
Farr, John Edwin ARM1/C USN
Faulkner, Emmett Dwight AMM2
Gray, Jack ACMM(AA)(T) USN
Green, Vernon George AMM1/C USN
Hayden, Basil Patrick, Jr ARM3/C USN
Herzog, Alva Louis, Jr AMM2/CV2
Hoemann, Ralph Martin ARM3/C
Hollfelder, Gene Henrix. ARM2/C
Kapple, Ned Simons AOM2/C USN
Katz, Lawrence Charles ARM1/C USN
Kent, Earl Leroy, Jr AMM/3C USN
Kersey, Norman Nelson AMM2/C USN
Krinard, Edward Neal ARM2/C
Lawrence,Lester Lavern AOM2/C
Leland, Leonard AMM1/C
Little, Charles Durwood AOM2/C
Lorah, John Curtis AOM1/C
Mariner, Paul Elvin AMM3/C
Marlin, Edward Manson AMM1/C USN
Mastellone, Philip AMM2/C
Maycrink, Louis, Jr AMM2/C
Menefee, Albert John ARM2/C USN
Mitchell, Darrel Dean ACOM(T) USN
Monk, Marvin Lester ARM3/C
Moore, Tommy AMM2/C USN
Park, Willard Dean AMM3/C
Parrott, Harold Joseph ARM2/C
Perry, Robert Henry AMM2/C USN
Phillips, Thomas Robert Y(AA) USN
Pike, Glenn Earl AMM1 USN
Pospieszynski, Daniel Joseph AMM1/C USN
Precourt, Alan Dale AMM1/C USN
Prestridge, Troy Hickman AMM2/C USN
Renner, Max AOM2/C USN
Reynolds, Henry ARM3/C
Rizza,Joe (CUZ) ACRM(T) USN
Sanderson, James Arnold....871 70 34 ....ARM3/C
Sauer, Jack Adam AOM 2/C
Sauer, Leroy Thomas AOM 2/C
Semmler, John Jacob ACRM(AA)
Sepich, Edward Rudolph AOM2/C
Sibert, George Cannon ARM3/C
Smith, Calvin Coolidge AOM2/C
Smith, Harold Vernon ACRM(AA)
Talley, John Titus AMM2/C USN
Tarr, Harold Stanley AOM2/C
Tomasello, Furo Albert AMM2/C USN
Trailer, Edward Eugene ARM1/C USN
Watkins, Roy Melvin AMM2/C
Wiese, Raymond Gottlileb ARM1/C USN
Woodward (Woody) Raymond Lee
Wright, Bill James ARM2/C
Wulf, Edwin Richard ARM2/C

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"VP-29 Summary Page"

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