 VP-101 Shipmates
 "...ABENDSCHEIN, C.W. "Bill" or "Skip"... ...I was also saddened to learn of the recent death of my Godfather, a retired ADRC who drilled at NAS Grosse ILE, Michigan in the 50's and 60's. His name was C.W. "Bill" or "Skip" Abendschein, late of Brookville Florida. He was 75. Obviously older than our Executioner Alumni. But I'm passing this along in case you may know someone who he drilled with, in the HU/HS units at NAS Grosse ILE, Michigan. (Jerry Lach was a young pup out there at this time frame). Bill flew and worked on the Piasecki HUP's and H-34's at the predecessor to our NAF Detroit, Michigan. He had also drilled earlier at NARU Niagara Falls NY, there working on PB4Y-2 Privateers. During WW2 he was an FE/Gunner on the Navys' dual ruddered version of the PB4Y-1 Liberator, with VPB-101 (The Odins). Let me tell you, he had some hair raising tales of low level bombing/strafing runs on Japanese shipping. They also flew POW food relief missions, later in the war. I'm scheduled to do the eulogy at a local memorial in Buffalo on Thursday 8-8. The research for the speach has been very interesting, in that I've learned quite a bit about VPB-101's unit war record. Unfortunatly individual crew and personal info is getting very hard, and harder to come by for the obvious reasons. This gent was one of my inspirations to join the Navy. Nobody looked sharper to me, when I'd see him come and go for drill weekends in those Khackis or Blues. Did any of us, leave such an impression on a youngster? I've attached a picture of the Chief with a VERY MUCH younger "White Buffalo", just so all can have a good laugh. Bill would appreciate a good laugh as well! The photo is from 1960 or 61. Regards to all! MOTTERN, AW1 Carl Retired cfmottern@yahoo.com..." [05AUG2002]
BRANT, CAPTAIN Joe E. Retired Jebrant41@cs.com "...I am interested in documenting information on all the many VP-22 squadrons that have been commissioned in the U.S. Navy. I was a pilot in the first VP-22 squadron, which was commissioned in l939 at NAS Ford Island, Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. We originally had 12 PBY-3s. After the attack on NAS Pearl Harbor, Hawaii we received 12 PBY-5s, and received orders to proceed to the Australia-Dutch East Indies area, where we joined up with VP-101 and VP-102. By March 3, l942 we ran out of airplanes, and retreated to Perth, Australia. Our squadron was decommissioned on April l8, l942. LCDR Frank O'Beirne (Vice-Adm. Ret) was our CO; LT Doyle Donaho, XO; and LT Thomas Moorer (ADM. Ret), Flight Officer. Please send me information pertaining to the dates your squadron continued to operate, type of aircraft, base of operation, commanding officers and any other significant happenings. I will be happy to share all the VP-22 I receive..." [14APR2001]
COPELAND, CDR John B. c/o Cathy Copeland Barber pastorcathy@aol.com "...My father, Cmdr. John B. Copeland, flew with VP-101 throughout WW II. He was an ensign aviation pilot at the time. If any reader knew him, I would love to hear from you..." [31JUL2005]
DIXON, CDR Donald R. "Mustang" c/o Dennis Michael Dixon dixon@palmahs.org "...My Father, CDR Donald R. Dixon, served with VP-101 CPW-10 in WWII. He is still living - healthy at 92 and resides in La Mesa, CA. E-mail for his number if you are an old Shipmate or a relative of one. He is mentioned in the book, In the Hands of Fate..." [25MAR2006]
DORNY, CDR Louis B. Retired npo15@msn.com "...Patrol Wing TEN matters, especially 1939-1942 period in the Far East, including VP-101, VP-102, VP-22..." [E-Mail/BIO Updated 22MAR2005 | 01OCT98]
EBERLY, CAPTAIN William G. Retired weberly@nqi.net "...I never knew anything more about VPB-101 since I flew with them in 1946, while I was stationed at NAS Floyd Bennett Field, New York in 1945-46. I was a designated Naval Air Navigator and newly commissioned Ensign from the Air Navigator's School at Clinton, Oklahoma - formerly enlisted ARM, Air Gunner, CAC. At NAS Floyd Bennett Field, New York I was in the Training Department, and we were supposed to be instructing the Coast Guard pilots of the "B-17's" in Loran. I believe that this crew later flew to the Pacific and took part in "Operation Crossroads" the atomic bomb tests at Bikini island..." [11OCT99]
"...FORBES, Griswold...Gris Forbes died Mar. 11, 1998, at the Danbury [Conn.] Hospital. During WWII, as a Navy pilot, he flew Liberators in the South Pacific. In the last few years he had attended reunions of his Squadron VPB-101..." http://www.princeton.edu/~paw/memorials/memorials_1940s/memorials_1941.html [24FEB2003]
HARTLEY, CDR Walter G. Jr. https://naval-air.org/flightlog/moreinfo.asp?UID=728 "...CDR Walter G. Hartley Jr., USNR - NFL Number: 728 - Date of Birth: 8/24/1920 - Date In: 12/15/1940 - Date Out: 2/28/1947 - City, State: Dallas, TX - School Attended: S. Methodist Univ - Aircraft Flown: N3N, SNB, PBY, PB4Y, PBM - Ship or Unit: VP-21, VP-101 and VPB-122 - Pilot Desg.: patrol Plane Cdr - Theaters, Campaigns, etc.: Asia Pac,P Harb, Aleu - Associations/Service Organizations: Ret. Officers Assn - Highest personal decoration or award: Dist Flying Cross - Significant Achievements: 3,400 hours of flight time. In Memoriam? No..." [11DEC2005]
KATZ, LARRY papakatz@sbcglobal.net "...Went to Pearl Harbor in June of 1941 and was assigned to VP-23 (the original squadron}. On Sept of 1941 I was transfered to VP-21. Both squadrons were located at NAS Ford Island. We flew PBY-3s until we got our new 5's. After Dec 7, 1941 when the Japs hit us, VP-22 left us to go to VP-101 in the Phillipines via Perth, Austrailia. In April of 42 our squadron left (VP-21) Pearl Harbor to join them. We got to Perth On April 8th,1942 pulling duty along the coast of Western Austrailia, up North to Java, Borneo, New Guinea, Port Moresby, Lae, Moroti Island in the Halmaharas,Woendi in the Biak Group, Los Negros in the Admiralties, Emirau in the New Ireland group, Green Island in the Solomons, Treasuaary Island in the Solomons, Oro Bay in New Guinea, Sepic River in New Guinea, Milne Bay in New Guinea, Rabaul Harbor, all this while Blackcating, and Dumbo, plus God knows what. Our Squadron spent nearly three years in the South Pacific all with VP-101. In October of 1944 we got our orders to return to the states. Our Squadron was then designated as VPB-29. By that time we were all ready to come back home, as our bunch went through the attack in Pearl Harbor, comming out of the Philippines and the rest of what all the squadrons went through. Through the efforts of the PBY Catalina International Association of which all PBY crewmen and Officers who flew the Catalinas should be members of (VP-101, VP-102, VP-22, and VP-21) is known now. I honestly think every one of our men who flew this wonderful aircraft has something to remember that no one else will ever have. To this day I am so proud to have been a crew member of this wonderful plane. One of these days, I will have my notes in the back of my log book be known. I put over 2900 flying hours as a ARM in these wonderful ships..." [E-Mail Updated 05NOV2003 | BIO Updated 16APR99 | 16MAR99]
LEMLEY, JOHN H. jhlemley54@hotmail.com "...I WOULD LIKE TO HEAR FROM SOME OF MY OLD Shipmates FROM SQUADRONS VP-54 - VP-51 AND VB-101. THESE SQUADRONS WAS ORIGNALLY VP-11(f) flying PBY'S UNTIL 1943 THEY GOT THE ARMY B-24D AND THE SQUADRON WAS KNOWN AS VB-101. I WOULD LIKE TO HEAR FROM OF MY OLD Shipmates THAT WAS WITH ME AT MIDWAY BEFORE AND AFTER THE BATTLE..." WebSite: http://www.geocities.com/Pentagon/Quarters/6439/ [E-Mail Updated 25MAR2001 | Updated WebSite URL 06SEP98 | 04SEP98]
MARTIN, George Tworoadrunners@aol.com "...I was ARM in PB4Y2 Crew 165 at NAAS Muni #1, Jax. After training, we became Crew 5; VPB-101 and xferred to NAS North Island, San Diego, California, then to NAAS Crow's Landing. In April, 1945 we went to NAAS Camp Kearney with VPB-197. In October, 1945 VPW-1 was commissioned and I joined Crew 1 as ARM, PPC- Commander Dennis Szabo...I went to ARM school at Mainside Jacksonville; gunnery at Yellowwater, FL. and then on USS Mission Bay (CVE59) until assigned to Crew 165 for training. PC was Lt. E. R. Telling, co-pilots were Ensigns T.C. Moe and Richard N. Amluxen. Plane Capt. was AMM1/c Ralph Maggio. Rounding out the crew were AMM3/c Royal C. Main, Jr., ARM3/c Richard H. Pearson, ARM3/c Pierce E. Dissinger, AOM3/c Walter J. (Joe) Forney, S1/c(AMM) Walter J. (Jay) Dunaway, AOM3/c Stanley P. (Danny) Napora, ARM3/c Thomas E. McCoy and self. After training we went to NAS North Island, San Diego, California, for a very short time and then joined VPB-101 and later VPB-197 at Crow's Landing NAAS, CA.. After training completed there 197 was transferred to NAAS Camp Kearney, San Diego, where it was dissolved in August, 1945. I was then assigned to Lt. Cdr. Dennis M. Szabo who was about to form the Navy's first all-weather squadron and from then until I was separated in May, 1946, I flew in Crew 1 with promoted Cmdr. Szabo. I remember how pleased I was when he got the "scrambled eggs" on his cap, especially so because I was promoted at the same time" [E-Mail Updated 05OCT99 | BIO Updated 04AUG98 | 31JUL98]
McCARTHY, Tom W. twmccarthy@aol.com "...I served with VD-4, VPB-101 at NAAS Crows Landing, California and VP-21 on Parry Island in Eniwetok Atoll in 1944. I would like to hear from former Shipmates..." [BIO Updated 15OCT2014 | Updated 02DEC98 | 20JAN98]McCarty, John M. McCarty john_mccarty@wireless.adc.com"...Let me be the first to check in from VP-9 during the Viet Nam era...friends were great!...went on to fly for the airlines for several years. I have been looking for old shipmates like Tom Wright and Mike Spradley for years. Call me if you recognize the name. Office: (503) 693-3100 x2228..."
MILLER, Bob archer1923@gmail.com "...I joined the Navy a year before the war and served aboard the to USS Wyoming (BB-32), USS Raven (AM-55), USS Ranger (CV-4), USS Charger (CVE-30), USS Suwannee (CVE-27), USS Chenango (CVE-28) and USS Tulagi (CVE-72). I participated North Africa, Pacific Solomon Island, Rennel Island and Russell Island protecting convoys into Guadalcanal, then to invasion of Southern France, back to Pacific for Philippines,Iwo Jima, Ryukyas, Okinawa, Kamikazes attacked Surigo Strait into Mindanao Sea, continued into the South China Sea when the war ended. I served with VPB-101 (12/26/1945-01/22/1947) at NAS Atlantic City, New Jersey then NAS Floyd Bennett Field, New York and NAS Quonset Point, Rhode Island and honorably discharged 01/22/1947..." [14JUN2019]
NICHOLS, Vernerd C. c/o his son-in-law Tim Morris timlinda65@gmail.com "...I am trying to research my father-in-laws war years. Vernerd C. Nichols - Aviation Radioman. CPW-10, Phillipines 1940-41, VPB-4, Hawaii, Eniwetok, and Saipan. I have some old pictures. One Coronado has a lounging nude woman with a flower in her hair. No names on pictures of crewmen. Any help? Thanks...Received some news today. Vernard was in VP-101 from 1940 to 1943..." [E-Mail Updated 31OCT2012 | BIO Updated 28JUL99 | 14JUL99]
PETERSON, Royce D. "Pete" c/o His Son Royce N. Peterson roycegte@earthlink.net "...My father Royce D. Peterson (Pete) served with VP-51 from January 1943 and VB-101 and VB-102 until the end of hostilities as a mechanic on PB4Y-1 aircraft. He would like to hear from any of his old buddies from Wakde Island. Please E-Mail if you have info. His logs show CMDR. Miller, Lt.Suydan, Searles, Hoyer and Kooy as Pilots with aircraft MSN's of 31949, 31954, 31957, 31955, 32081, 32074, 32080, 32083, 32082, 32084 and others. Thanks!..." [E-Mail Updated 19JUL2023 | 26OCT99]
POLLOCK, CAPTAIN Thomas F. http://www.history.navy.mil/ar/papa/pollock.htm "...Captain Thomas Franklin Pollock was born in Saticoy, California, on 8 August 1911. He attended Chaffee High School and Chaffee Junior College in Ontario, California and the University of California at Berkeley. For eighteen months, during 1933 and 1934, he was employed by the General Electric Company in Ontario, California. From 1934 to 1935, he served with the Civilian Conservation Corps as a Second Lieutenant in the Infantry Reserve, attached the 9th Corps. Enlisting in the U.S. Naval Reserve in August 1936, Captain Pollock had elimination flight training at the Naval Reserve Aviation Base, Long Beach, California. He was appointed an Aviation Cadet in the Naval Reserve in December 1936 and after flight training at NAS Pensacola, Florida, he was designated a Naval Aviator in January 1938. He was commissioned as an Ensign to date from 1 January 1938. He joined the Regular Navy in 1941, and continued to advance in rank to Captain, to date from 1 July 1956. From February 1938 to February 1943, Pollock served with VP-18, VP-13, VP-26, VP-102, and VP-101 operating from Pearl Harbor, San Diego, the Philippine Islands and the Java-Australia areas. In 1939, he participated in the mass flights of PBY squadrons to the Philippine Islands with CPW-10-. After the loss of his aircraft by enemy action in 1941, he became a member of a Navy Bluejacket Battalion (Infantry) on Bataan. In January 1942, he escaped from Corregidor to Java on the submarine USS Seawolf and in April 1942, four days prior to the fall of the Philippines, flew a PBY seven thousand miles from Perth to Corregidor, and returned to deliver medicine and evacuate nurses and civilians. For these actions, he was awarded the Silver Star, and he earned the right to wear the Presidential Unit Citation ribbon awarded to VP-101 and VP-102. During the period of February 1943 to December 1944, Captain Pollock was the Officer-in-Charge of the Experimental Unit of the Headquarters Squadron, FAW-14, and Officer-in-Charge of the Air Unit at the Naval Ordnance Test Station, Inyokern, California. In 1943, he fired the first rockets from naval aircraft, including the 1,200 lb Tiny Tim and assisted in the development of magnetic detection techniques for antisubmarine warfare. He received a Letter of Commendation, with authorization to wear the commendation ribbon. He was also awarded the Order of the British Empire by the Government of Great Britain. He was then the Officer-in-Charge of Air Support Training Unit 6 and as such developed air support tactics for amphibious operations in the Pacific. In July 1945, he assumed command of Air Support Control Unit #9, which, under his command, participated in the occupation of Japan. From January 1946 to May 1947, he was a student at the Naval War College and General Line School, Newport, Rhode Island, and between June and September 1947, attended a refresher course in multi-engine aircraft at NAS Whiting Field, Milton, Florida. He had Prospective Executive Officer/Prospective Commanding Officer training at Ream Field, Imperial Beach, California until November 1947. He then became Commanding Officer of VP-4. As such, he completed the first aerial mapping survey of Southeast Alaska, covering over 50,000 square miles for the Department of the Interior and the U.S. Forest Service. He received a special award for winning the Flight Safety Award for three consecutive quarters. From June 1949 to July 1952, Captain Pollock was an instructor at the Armed Forces Special Weapons Project at Sandia Base in Albuquerque, New Mexico and in that assignment, participated in the early atomic tests at Desert Rock, Nevada. Following duty as Special Assistant (plans for atomic matters) to the Commander Air Force, U.S. Atlantic Fleet, he reported in February 1953 as executive officer of the escort carrier, USS Mindoro. After the carrier conducted early U.S. Marine Corps helicopter troop landing operations for the development of vertical envelopment concepts, Pollock was reassigned to the Staff of Commander, Carrier Division 16, as Operations Officer. In that post, he developed antisubmarine warfare tactics and advanced magnetic detection techniques and participated in the NATO antisubmarine warfare exercise CENTERBOARD critique in Lisbon. He was Atomic Plans Officer on the Staff of the Commander in Chief, Pacific, from February 1956 to May 1958, after which he served as Aviation Budget Officer in the Office of the Chief of Naval Operations, Navy Department, Washington, D.C. In that capacity he participated in Congressional appropriations committee budget hearings. In June 1959, he assumed command of USS Canisteo. In June 1960, he was detached to serve as Assistant Chief of Staff for Operations to the Commander, Antisubmarine Defense Force, Pacific. On 19 October 1961, he reported as Commander, FAW-14 and in May 1963, he became Commander Fleet Air, Southwest Pacific. In March 1964, he joined the Joint Staff of the Commander, U.S. Military Assistance Command, Vietnam, with headquarters in Saigon and in March 1965, he was ordered to duty in the Office of the Secretary of Defense, Washington, D.C. In addition the Army Silver Star Medal, the Commendation Ribbon, the Presidential Unit Citation Ribbon with two stars, and Order of the British Empire decoration, Captain Pollock earned the American Defense Service Medal; American Campaign Medal; Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal; World War II Victory Medal; Navy Occupation Service Medal, Asia Clasp; National Defense Service Medal; and the Philippine Defense Ribbon..." [21JUL2003]
"...SHAY, LT(jg) Richard M... ...My father, Richard M. Shay, received the Navy Cross (crash landing at sea on October 26, 1944) while serving with VP-101. I would like to hear from his former Shipmates..." Contributed by John Shay john@shay.org [13NOV2011]
SHELTON, AD1 Roger H. https://naval-air.org/flightlog/moreinfo.asp?UID=2888 "...AD-1 Roger H. Shelton, USN - NFL Number: 2888 - Date of Birth: 10/11/1921 - Date In: 1/1/1939 - Date Out: 1/1/1959 - City, State: Millington, TN - School Attended: Memphis State - Aircraft Flown: PB4Y-1, PB4Y2, TBM, PBM, B-17 - Ship or Unit: VPB-101 - Pilot Desg.: Combat Air Crew - Associations/Service Organizations: Fleet Reserve VFW 7175 - Highest personal decoration or award: Air Medal (1 star) - Significant Achievements: Shot down twice in 18 days. Crew rode planes down and walked away- no injuries. VPB-101 operated from Islands of Manus, Morotai and Tacloban. In Memoriam? No..." [02DEC2005]
"...SILVERMAN, Herbert...Looking for information on my wife's uncle S3C Herbert Silverman, now deceased (spent life in VA hospital after WWII). Served with VB-101, PATSU 1-2 at Munda Point, Solomon Islands. Had a commendation for helping to save a DD in 1943. He apparently spent several days in the water. Returned to NAS Alameda, California 11/22/44. Attended Aviation Maaintainence in Chicago (Great Lakes?), and aeiral gunnery in Jacksonville. Any help aprreciated...Tom Mc Hugh tom66f@aol.com..." [04JAN2005]
SLUYTER, James sluyjjss@aol.com "...I served with VPB-101 from February 1, 1944 through November 10, 1944 as a 2nd Mechanic on Crew-10. We ditched on October 24th, 1944 and myself and 1st Radioman Johnston were injured and sent to Australia Army Hospital for a long story. I think the Navy forgot all about me! I finally got back to the states in 1945..." [E-Mail Updated 13JAN2010 | E-Mail Updated 29MAR2006 | 17DEC2000]
SNIVELY, A. W. "Bud" (Deceased) c/o His Daughter Chaplain Sheri Snively, LCDR, USNR-R sherisn@jps.net "...My Dad (A. W. "Bud" Snively) was in VP-44 (PBYs) in time for the battle of Midway. Then went on to VP-101 as it left the Philippines going to Australia for patrol and harassing raids on Japanese held islands of the South Pacific. I'd love to hear from anyone who served with him. He passed away in 1999. I serve as a chaplain in the Naval Reserves and as the chaplain for the San Diego Silver Eagles Association (Naval enlisted pilots) wing..." [25JAN2002]
VANCE, Duane dvance@snet.net "...I served with VAHM-13/VP-24 from 1957-1960. I had various jobs AL/AT type. I hope to attend the next Reunion. I served with VPB-101/VX-4 from 1945-1951 and am now maintaining the mailing list for our next Reunion which will be near NAS Patuxent River, Maryland in September 2000. For more information and to get on the mailing list, just send me your name and address..." [11APR2000]
"VP-101 Summary Page"
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