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HistoryVT-5 HistoryHistory

Circa 1977

HistoryA BIT OF HISTORY: Naval Aviation January 1977 "...Disestablished/Commissioned - Page 15 - Naval Aviation News - January 1977..." WebSite: http://www.history.navy.mil/nan/backissues/1970s/1977/jan77.pdf [08OCT2004]

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Circa 1976

HistoryA BIT OF HISTORY: Naval Aviation May 1976 "...Squadron Insignia - Naval Aviation News - May 1976..." WebSite: http://www.history.navy.mil/nan/backissues/1970s/1976/may76.pdf [06OCT2004]

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Circa 1974

HistoryA BIT OF HISTORY: Naval Aviation February 1974 "...Awards - Page 19 - Naval Aviation News - February 1974..." WebSite: http://www.history.navy.mil/nan/backissues/1970s/1974/feb74.pdf [30SEP2004]

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Circa 1966-1968

HistoryA BIT OF HISTORY: "...A few weeks ago a former Australian Navy pilot (Acting Sub LT Graham Pring - RAN) contacted me about the photos I contributed to your VT-5 page. He was with a group of about 30 RAN midshipmen (plus 2 LTs) who came to Pensacola (1966-68) to go through the Navy's flight training program (Pre-flight through Wings). With his approval, attached are some VT-5 photos he gave me...." Contributed by McLAUGHLIN, LT Bob banddmcl1964@msn.com [01MAR2018]

TOP ROW - LEFT-TO-RIGHT: RALF Barin Line Shack Crew, ALF Barin VT-5 Hanger - Fuel and Oil Trucks, ALF Barin VT-5 Line, ALF Barin VT-5 Line Aircraft and Carrier Quals Chase Plane
BOTTOM ROW - LEFT-TO-RIGHT: CQs-Lexington, Peter Clark CQ, 5 plane formation, VT-5 ready to taxi-CQ and T-34B #557

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Circa 1966

HistoryA BIT OF HISTORY: "...Instructor "demonstrating" a low pass at Barin Field, Alabama in 1966. Also T-28C; 2S-724 with Ensigns Jim Batwinis, Dennis Wedekin, Dean Scango, Bob McLaughlin and Ensign Unknown during FCLP (field carrier landing practice) and CQ (carrier qualifications) training at Barin Field, AL: 1966..." Contributed by McLAUGHLIN, LT Bob banddmcl1964@msn.com [10OCT2006]

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UPDATE "...The tall blond "Ensign Unknown" on the end of each photo is ENS Bill Granade..." Contributed by McLAUGHLIN, LT Bob banddmcl1964@msn.com [12SEP2016]

HistoryA BIT OF HISTORY: "...This me strapping in to Carrier Qualify aboard Lexington. This was with VT-5 but launching from Barin Field, Alabama in September 1966. Then 4 0f 7 T-28Cs taxiing out for take off and after completion and Carrier Qualifying, Ensign Unknown, Denny Wedekin, Bob McLaughlin, Dean Scango, Jim Batwinis and Daly in front of the old Barin Field "O" Club..." Contributed by McLAUGHLIN, LT Bob banddmcl1964@msn.com [07OCT2006]

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UPDATE "...The tall blond "Ensign Unknown" on the end of each photo is ENS Bill Granade..." Contributed by McLAUGHLIN, LT Bob banddmcl1964@msn.com [12SEP2016]

Circa 1965

HistoryA BIT OF HISTORY: Naval Aviation August 1965 "...VT-5 Maintenance Proves Its Worth - Page 28 - Naval Aviation News - August 1965..." WebSite: http://www.history.navy.mil/nan/backissues/1960s/1965/aug65.pdf [01SEP2004]

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Circa 1961

HistoryA BIT OF HISTORY: Naval Aviation News March 1961 "...CNABATRA Lauds VT-5 - Page 35 - Naval Aviation News - March 1961..." WebSite: http://www.history.navy.mil/nan/backissues/1960s/1961/mar61.pdf [19AUG2004]

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Circa 1942

HistoryA BIT OF HISTORY: "...On the morning of 10 March 1942...VT-5 attacked Japanese ships in the Salamaua area at 0950..." USS Yorktown (CV-5) WebSite: http://www.chinfo.navy.mil/navpalib/ships/carriers/histories/cv05-yorktown/cv05-yorktown.html [20APR2002]

HistoryA BIT OF HISTORY: "...The two TBDs that ditched on 1 Feb. 1942 on the north edge of Jaluit Atoll..." The Battle Of Midway WebSite: http://www.centurytel.net/midway/tbd.html [20APR2002]

The following is from an e-mail by author John Lundstrom:

The two TBDs that ditched on 1 Feb. 1942 on the north edge of Jaluit Atoll were:

5-T-7 BuNo 1298
LT Harlan T. ("Dub") Johnson, VT-5 XO
Charles E. Fosha, ACMM, NAP USN
James W. Dalzell, RM1c USN

5-T-6 BuNo 1515
ENS. Herbert R. Hein, Jr., A-V(N)
Joseph D. Strahl AOM3c USN
Marshal E. Windham, Sea1c USN

In the bad weather Johnson got disoriented after attacking Jaluit and headed out the wrong way (north not southeast). He radioed that he and Hein were ditching. The Japanese official history notes finding these two crews.

The crews were taken prisoner. Some if not all survived the war. RADM Johnson (USNA 1931) died in 1994 in Sarasota, FL. Ens. Hein also survived and may still be living.

This TBD should be recovered & brought back to the US!

John Lundstrom


Circa 1940

HistoryA BIT OF HISTORY: "...In June 1940 three Torpedo Squadron Five (VT-5) TBDs at the after end of the flight deck are painted in experimental camouflage schemes tested during Fleet Problem XXI..." Naval Historical Center WebSite: http://www.history.navy.mil/photos/ac-usn22/f-types/f3f.htm [20APR2002]


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