 PATSU Shipmates
 "...BICKFORD, AO2 John "Jack"...Am looking for anyone who flew with my father, John (Jack) Bickford from Worcester, MA. His rate was AO2c. His unit was PATSU 1-1 which serviced VP-54 and then VP-81, both "Black Cat" squadrons, from about May of 1943 to August 1944. He flew from Guadalcanal, Bouganville, and Munda. My dad passed away at a young age and much history died with him. For many years I have been attempting to find someone who knew and/or flew with him. I have pictures and unconfirmed stories. Contact me via E-Mail or by telephone, 443-203-0070. I am a life member of the PBY Cat International Association having attended two Reunions and met many fine folks...John Bickford catalinajack6@gmail.com..." [E-Mail Updated 04JUL2009 | BIO/E-Mail Updated 06OCT2005 | 25AUG97]
BROOKS, LT Louis H. Jr. c/o Charles R. Krivcher krivcherc@bellsouth.net "...Louis served with FAW-7 / PATSU-7 (01/1944-1945). He is 95 and would like to hear from former Shipmates..." [30JUN2015]
BUSH, Milton c/o His Son Milton Bush, Jr. MWBUSH@compuserve.com "...My dad, Milton Bush, worked with VPB-44 and VPB-53 Black Cat Squadrons in 1944-45 on Green Island, north of Bougainville, as the PATSU legal/personnel officer. Then reassigned with VPB-53 to Samar Island. He is now 90 and quite well, wintering on Jensen Beach, FL. Plays golf three times a week. I am working on a short history of Green Island in WW II. Would like to hear stories of others who were there..." [19DEC2001]
CAMPBELL, AMM1c James M. camp@interpac.net "...I was in headquarters squadron of FAW-2, and was at MCAS/NAS Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii for about all of 1943 except for a deployment in VP-12 for about 6 weeks to NAS Midway Island. I was then transferred in to PATSU 1-11 which was deployed to the Solomon Islands and the island hopping campaign from Guadalcanal to Munda, Ondonga, Green Island to Emereau,Manus and then back to the States in the fall of 1944. I knew Herman Terry in the metal shop as well as "anvilhead," "Duck" Mallard, Marlow and others. I was a part time flight crew member as well, as an instrument mechanic while on the ground duty roster. I had been to gunnery school at Purcell Okla, on the way to Treasure Island Ca. where we boarded LST-448. About half way to Pearl Hardor, the steering linkage motor "burned out" and we had hand-steer to return to San Diego to get a new one. Then on the way to Pearl and more than halfway there, the motor burned out again and we had to steer the LST by hand. We got off the LST in Pearl and went ashore onto Ford Island. There we had two decker iron cots, which the master at arms would come in and beat on the bedstead with a billy club to wake us up in the morning. There at Ford Island, I saw my first and only Admiral all of the time I was in the Navy. I had made AMM1/c while in the islands and was wearing a hash mark when I got back to the NAS Alameda, California where we bought new clothes. As we were on the ferry over to town to buy our clothes "new dress blues" we met our first female sailors. One I was talking to was a ACMM and she had been in the Navy nine months! We had to box up our dress blues and personal gear while at NAS Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii. in 1943. Therein was my clothes as well as a gold high school class ring and wrist watch. None of which were ever seen again. The box never got home. If any one remembers the PATSU 1-11, VP-12, VP-52, or HedRon FAW-2 please contact me and let us discuss old times when we were young and dumb..." [19MAR2002]
"...CLARK, LCDR Jack H...My father, LCDR Jack H. Clark, served in WWII in PATSU 3-4 Squadron and NAS Jacksonville, Florida from 1945 to 1946. He had many fond memories of his Navy days on the PB4Y's and the great Shipmates he served along with in WWII...Jack Clark Jr. jhclark1@msn.com..." [15MAY2004]
  "...Dad proudly served in the US Navy during WWII in PATSU 3-4, MCAS/NAS Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii, Funa Futi atoll in the South Pacific and later at NAS Jacksonville, Florida. He settled in Charlotte NC and had an active life in landscaping design until his passing at 89 years. His military service is remembered and deeply appreciated by his children. Jack Clark Jr. jhclark1@msn.com, Memorial Day, May 31, 2004..." [01JUN2004]
"...DIEDERICH, Paul...Looking for info on my dad, Paul Diederich. He would never talk about his experience in the war. Served with PATSU i-2 July 43 to Aug 44, then to FAW-17 in aug 44-aug 45. Believe he was a gunner. Can anyone give me any information? Thanks...Cathy Conty conty@bellsouth.net..." [17MAR2005]
"...FAMBROUGH, BM1 Joe M...My father, Joe M. Fambrough, BM1, USN (ret.) served aboard the USS Albemarle (AV-5) from 24 October 1946 to March 1948. I have some photos taken of USS Albemarle (AV-5) with notes it was docked at Key West, Fla. in 1947 at the time. Dad was BM2 aboard USS Albemarle (AV-5), then transferred to USS Manchester CL 83 before Operation Crossroads. Dad enlisted in Pensacola, Fla., in 1939 and went from there to the Pacific during World War II. Units he served in included ACORN 12 and PATSU 1-9. He was temporarily attached to CASU 8 before being assigned to CASU 39 Detachment A, which he used to call "Fighting Forward 39," and CASU 50...Kevin Fambrough kevinfambrough@cox.net..." [BIO Updated 24FEB2005 | 23FEB2005]
"...GRAY, Harvey...My deceased Father was stationed at NAF Dunkeswell, Devonshire, England from 08/25/44 through 06/18/45. His name was Harvey Gray the unit was FAW-7 and PATSU 7B. He was in both. If anyone has any information please email me...Barbara Sprague b_sprg@excite.com..." [22AUG2005]
"...HUNT, Elmer G...It is with a Heavy Heart that I inform you of the Passing of My father, Elmer G. Hunt, on 28 Feb 2007. He was with PATSU-103 & VP-109. Some of you might have met him at the Reunions. He was a Fine Man and a Wonderful Father and I will miss him very much. Fair winds to you all...Jim Hunt jimhuntuxb@hotmail.com..." [01MAR2007]
HUTCHISON, CDR Clarence H. Retired http://www.vc-35andvaaw-35.org/stories/coalHaulingPilot.html "...CDR Clarence H. Hutchison, USN (Ret.) - VC-35 VAN Team 12 "A" - USS Boxer - During WWII, I was a Signalman Second Class (SM2) undergoing Naval Aviation pilot training at Pensacola, Florida. Upon graduation in September 1942, I was designated Aviation Pilot Second Class (AP2) and received orders to the Aleutian Islands. Stopping in Dutch Harbor, I was directed to stow my seabag and Navy uniforms in the Lucky Bag and then issued long underwear and wool army clothing. From there, I proceeded to NAS Adak, Alaska and reported to the PATSU Unit. The Master-at-Arms issued me an army cot and sleeping bag and assigned me to a tent. My dreams of becoming a hot-shot pilot disappeared when he informed me that I would be assigned to the coal hauling detail. Life was primitive on NAS Adak, Alaska at this time, with personnel living in tents and using coal-burning stoves for warmth. My duties were to drop off sacks of coal at various tents each day. After about two weeks of this humiliating experience, I went to see the Officer-in-Charge of the PATSU Unit and asked him if the Navy trained me to fly airplanes so I could come out here and haul coal. He asked me my name and when I told him, he said they had been looking for me and wanted to know where I had been. I told him that I had the honor of being the only coal hauling pilot on the island and believed my talents could be best used elsewhere. He agreed and assigned me the job of correcting aeronautical charts and plotting moving submarine havens for the local patrol squadrons. In order to maintain flight proficiency, I started flying patrols with the tenant PBY squadrons searching for enemy Japanese forces attempting to re-supply their garrison on Kiska. In March of 1943, I was promoted to Aviation Pilot First Class (AP1) and assigned to VP-43 flying PBY-5A's. Pre-deployment training was conducted at Tongue Point, Oregon and NAS Whidbey Island, Washington prior to returning to the Aleutians. In October 1943, the squadron began operating from the island of Attu, conducting patrols and night bombing raids on the Japanese base at Paramushiro in the northern Kurile Islands. On January 1st 1944, I was promoted to Chief Aviation Pilot (CAP) and in March 1944 I was designated a Patrol Plane Commander (PPC) in PBY aircraft, a far cry from my coal hauling days..." [17APR2004]
MOORE, James E. c/o Brenda Bradley mrandmrsb1968@att.net "...My Dad served with PATSU-13 as a Hydraulic Mechanic. He went over on the Dashing Wave. I am trying to find as much information as I can for him. Dad will be 90 in May 2012..." [23MAR2012]
QUINN, Harold gerhardt24@msn.com "...I was in a draft from NAAS Camp Kearny, California in 1944. The Unit was called PATSU-10 and we were transferred to NAS Whidbey Island, Washington. We serviced VPB-120 and VPB-122 both serving in the Aleutians. I flew with the beginning of VPB-120 as plane captain and also serviced the planes on the ground. I flew with LCDR Reynolds and LT Kissler the XO. Would like to talk to former Shipmates..." [11NOV2007]
SANDOVAL, Angel c/o Daughter theresa.guerrero@sbcglobal.net "...My father, Angel Sandoval, served with PATSU-17 during WWII. Dad would like to hear (I will forward all e-mail) from former Shipmates..." [12NOV2013]
SCHNEIDEWIND, AMM1 N. A. Retired Schneidmom@AOL.com "...A few squadrons I served in as Plane Captain and "second mech" VP-41, NAS Kodiak, Alaska, Beach Crew 1941, VP-23. Ford Island, Oahu 1942, PATSU 1-1 supporting VP-12, 1st "Black Cat" squadron, Guadalcanal, 1942-43, VPB-44, Green Island, 1943-45, VP-28 Itami, Japan NAHA, Okinawa, 1951-53, HTU-1 NAAS Ellyson Field, Florida 1953-55 VR-1 "Zebra" Division, NAS Patuxent River, Maryland 1955-58 VW-11 NAS Argentia, Newfoundland, Canada 1958-59..." [12JUN99]
"...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]
"...SJOGREN, Carl S...My Father, Carl S. Sjogren, passed away Nov. 10, 2006. Dad served with PATSU-17 as an aircraft mechanic in the South Pacific during WWII..." Contributed by Kenneth Sjogren swede10x@hotmail.com [10JAN2013]
SMITH, Justin (Smitty) c/o His Daughter Shari Coker-Brown s4c@orix-cac.com "...I am looking for information for my dad Justin (Smitty) Smith. He is hesitant but I'm sure he would love to see his old buddies. He served from 42-45 in Navy. His Duty: VGS-13, VC-31, CASU-7, PATSU-142, PATSU 1-8, CASU-59, CASU-68 and NARV flight school. Campaigns: Guadacanal, Munda, Treasury, Bougainville, Bismarrarchepeuego, Admiralties, Moratai-Phillipines. What would be some Reunions for him to attend? For example I do not see anything regarding VC-31 in my search altho I see CASU and PATSU. I'm a former Marine. Thanks..." [19JUN2001]
WATERHOUSE, Harry harryh2o@juno.com "...I served with FAW-7 from April, 1943 to September, 1946 at NAF Dunkeswell, Devonshire, England. I went over as an Aviation Radio Technician striker but had several months as a mess cook before I wound up in the PATSU 7-A Radio/Radar Shop in VPB-103 in February 1945. I came home on the Queen Mary's first voyage after V-E Day. My Navy career ended with hospitalization at Chelsea, MA and Sampson, NY before my medical discharge to Rutland Heights, MA, VA hospital September 30, 1946. I was able to attend the Annapolis FAW-7 Reunion in 1999 and kept in contact through Gene Mack's newsletter until it was discontinued..." [26JUL2009]
WILSON, AD2 Matthew mwilson1942@optonline.net "...I joined October 8, 1942 and ended up at FAW-9 NAS Quonset Point, Rhode Island. I made AMM3 there. March 30, 1944 I went to B24 Maintenances School at NAS Hutchinson, Kansas then to NAF Dunkeswell, Devonshire, England in HEDRON (PATSU 7-A) FAW-7 VPB-103. Came home on the Queen Mary with 30,000+. The Lady in the Harbor was a welcome sight. I then served with CASU-23 NAS Atlantic City, New Jersey and NAAS Woodbine New Jersey. After V.J. Day I was off to CASU-28 Charlestown R.I. assigned to USS Philippine Sea (CV-47) VF-9A two 2 month cruise then 5 month in the Med. Discharged October 7, 1948 as AD2. I would like to hear from Shipmates who remembers me..." [E-Mail Updated 01APR2003 | E-Mail/BIO Updated 12MAY2002 | 15NOV2001]
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