VP-5 Squadron Shipmates
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ShipmateVP-14 ShipmatesShipmate

Memorial Picture "...BRINK, AOC Joseph J. Retired...AOC Joseph J. Brink (Retired) passed away. Joesph served with VP-14 at NAS North Island, San Diego, California around March of 1940 and later with VP-12 at MCBH Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii around December of 1941. We are looking for any imformation, pictures of Joesph or Jesse Metcalf (Metcalf was Joseph's Shipmates)..." Contributed by AMCS Wayne Hopkins Retired (son-in-law) wshopkins@embarqmail.com [25APR2011]

Memorial Picture "...BYRNE, LCDR Patrick J. (Pat/Pappy)...My uncle was born March 18, 1896 in Dover, NJ. He entered the service Dec. 14, 1917 in Oceanic, NJ. Entered flight training Jan. 25, 1920 with the rate of ACMM. Designated NAP Oct. 1, 1920. Promoted to CPO/Master sergeant April 1919. Designated naval aviator November 1928 #3442. Shore duty: December 17-May 1918 Machinist Mate School, NAS Pensacola, Floridaand NAS Hampton Roads; May 191 8-February 1919, East Pier Patrol Sqd. NAS Hampton Roads; January 1920-October 1922, NAS Pensacola, Florida; June 1926-October 1928, NAS Hampton Roads; August 1930-January 1931, VS-10 NAS Norfolk, Virginia; August 1943-May 1946, VRF-4 and VRF-l NAS Floyd Bennett Field, New York; May 1946-May 1954, VRF-31, NAS Norfolk, Virginia; June 1954-March 1958, NAS Lakehurst. Sea duty: February 1919-January 1920, Scout­ing and Patrol Squadron, NAS Guantanamo Bay, Cuba; October 1922-October 1924, USS Wright (AV-1), NavyYard, Philadelphia; October 1924-February 1925, USS Langley I (AV-3), NAS San Diego; February 1925-April 1925, VS-2 NAS Norfolk, Virginia and Annapolis, MD; April 1925-November 1925, USS Richmond, Portsmouth, VA; March 1926-May 1926, USS Trenton, Portsmouth, VA; October 1928-August 1930, USS Wyoming, Norfolk, VA; January 1931-August 1931, USS Au­gusta, Norfolk, VA; September 1931-October 1935, VP-2F, NAS Coco Solo, Panama, Canal Zone; November 1935-May 1941, VP-14F and VP-52, NAS Norfolk, Virginia; May 1941-February 1942, VP-72F NAS Argentia, Newfoundland, Canada; March 1942-August 1943, R-I, VP-6 and VP-8 NAS Norfolk, Virginia. He was awarded the Legion of Merit, Good Conduct, African European Medal, World War II Vic­tory Medal, American Defense, Asiatic-Pacific Cam­paign, New Jersey State Medal World War I. Byrne retired March 31, 1958 with the rank of lieutenant commander. He had 20,000 military flight hours and 3,000 civilian hours. Pat Byrne, definitely the legendary flying mari­ner with his early entry into aviation, 40 plus years in the naval aviation service and 23,000 flight hours. Pat had over two and one half years experience on aviation matters, mainly aviation engines, prior to his entrance into the U.S. Navy. His first experience was on a Burgess Dunne Seaplane, privately owned by General Howard S. Borden of Oceanic, NJ, now known as Rumson, NJ. Pat died Nov.23, 1979. He was married to Mar­garet. I would love to hear from anyone that knew him. Thanks...His Nephew SHCS John Landy navyy8@yahoo.com..." [14OCT2001]


CURYLO, ADRC Walter c/o His Son James Walter Curylo jwcurylo@altavista.com "...My father, Walter J. Curylo, AD1, (later ADRC/AP) was a member of VP-14 on 7Dec41, stationed at MCAS/NAS Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii. My mother was with him on that day and I was born on 15Dec41 in the base dispensary. Unfortunately have little to contribute as both parents have died. If any VP-14 members are alive and remember my parents, please contact me. James W. Curylo PS, I served on DD's 1959-63...Some additional information re: VP-14 aircraft; around the late 50's, (I don't remember the year) my father was visting his brother Jan (BM1) in Bermuda and spotted a PBY-5A in British markings at one of the airfields. My father and uncle approached the aircraft and got permission to board. It was the aircraft he was assigned to on 7Dec41 at MCAS/NAS Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii, still operational, but British..." [07NOV2000]


Memorial Picture "...DEROSETT, AOCM Joshua "Red"...1924-2008 - It saddens me greatly to report that Joshua "Red" Derosett AOCM USN Ret., a truly "Great American" passed on Feb. 29, 2008 in Lemoore, CA. A 30 year veteran of the US Navy, Red was one of my most "Unforgettable Shipmates". His distinguished career included tours of duty in VP-14, VH-4, VF-193, CVW-21, VA-125, VP-4 and VF-152. Among his awards are the Navy Distinguished Flying Cross with 4 Stars, the Navy Air Medal with 24 Stars, the Navy Good Conduct Medal with 8 Stars. I encourage all to view his tribute and his "Service Memories" on The Navy Log section of the United States Navy Memorial web site http://www.lonesailor.org/index.php...Respectfully submitted by Steve "Andy" Andruszkewicz sgpa2zfmly@aol.com..." [02MAR2008]

DIMMIT, Robert E. "...VP-14 Mr. Robert E. Dimmit, 5186 Pale Moon Dr., Pensacola, FL 32507. 850-492-3194..." http://www.warships1.com/reunion_airgroup.htm [21DEC98]

DODSON, Albert (AL) LeRoy c/o His Son Joe Dodson LaC1HocFan@aol.com "...I'm very excited to see these memories and information saved and presented for viewing. My father, Albert LeRoy Dodson (A.L. Dodson), served with VP-14 April of 41 thru April of 43 (survived the Jap attack of NAS Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii) and latter he was CO of VP-4, I believe it was June of 51 thru June of 53..." [05APR98]

Memorial Picture Shipmate Pix Circa 1957 "...DOYLE, CAPTAIN Thurlow Gray...14SEP30 Enlisted in the U. S. Naval Reserve, 21NOV39 Appointed Aviation Cadet, 27AUG40 Ensign, U. S. Naval Reserve, 15APR42 LT(jg), 01OCT42 LT, 28JAN43 Augmented in the U. S. Navy, 10JUL45 LCDR, 01JAN51 CDR, 01JUL59 CAPTAIN, 01JUL65 Transferred to the Retired List, and 06SEP70 Deceased. Assignments: Naval Air Basic Training Command (Student) NAS Pensacola, Florida SEP39 through OCT39, Naval Air Basic Training Command (Student) NAS Pensacola, Florida NOV39 through AUG40, VP-14 (Naval Aviator) from AUG40 through JAN43, VPB-102 (Naval Aviator) from JAN43 through NOV43, FAW-14 (Flight/Training Officer) from NOV43 through AUG44, and Naval Auxiliary Air Station NAS Jacksonville, Florida (Flight Officer) from AUG 44 through NOV 44, NAS Miami, FL (Chief Flight Instructor) from NOV 44 through JAN46, USS SUISUN (AVP-53) (Executive Officer) from JAN46 through JUN47, Naval School (General Line), Newport, RI (Student) from JUN47 through MAY48, Director, Naval Officer Procurement, Philadelphia, PA. from MAY48 through DEC49, Director, Navy Recruiting Station and Office of Naval Procurement, Philadelphia, PA (Assistant Officer in Charge) from DEC49 through APR50, Armed Forces Information School, Carlisle Barracks, PA (Student) from APR50 through AUG50, Air Transport Squadron 21 (Executive Officer) from AUG50 through APR53, NAS Pensacola, Florida (Officer in Charge of Naval Air Station Ground School) from SEP53 through AUG55, Fleet Airborne Electronics Training Unit Atlantic, Norfolk, VA (Under Instruction) from AUG55 through NOV55, Commanding Officer VP-8 from NOV55 through APR57, NAS Quonset Point, Rhode Island (Operations/Executive Officer) from APR57 through JAN60, Commanding Officer, Air Transport Squadron SIX from MAR63 through MAR63, Defense Contract Administration Services Region, Pittsburgh, PA (Inspector of Naval Material) from MAR63 through OCT64, and Chief, Pittsburgh Defense Contract Administration Services District, Pittsburgh, PA from OCT64 through JUN65. Medals and Awards: Distinguished Flying Cross, Air Medal, American Defense Service Medal With One Bronz Star, American Campaign Medal, Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal With Three Bronze Stars, World War II Victory Medal, National Defense Service Medal With One Bronze Star in Lieu Of Second Award, Korean Service Medal, and United Nations Service Medal...c/o His Son Thomas Doyle tmdoyle4@earthlink.net..." [21JUN2001]


HAAKANA, ARM1 Carl dellcar@earthlink.net "...Served with VP-14 (see BIT OF HISTORY)..." [22FEB99]

Memorial Picture "...HART, Douglas Peter...My father, Doug Hart, served with VP-14 on December 7, 1941, at Kaneohe Bay. He was on Lil' Nell, a member of Bill Paulin's crew. He was in five major battles during Word War II and was at Guadalcanal for a year and a half. Sadly, my father lost his battle with Alzheimer's Disease and prostate cancer on February 18, 2002. My family misses him very much, and are proud to carry on his legacy. Mary Hart Maggay, daughter maggay@yahoo.com..." [01NOV2004]

HART, Douglas Peter (Deceased) c/o his daughter Mary Hart Maggay maggay@yahoo.com "...My father, Douglas Peter Hart, was with Patrol Squadron Fourteen (VP-14) and at Pearl Harbor during the attack. He tells of firing a machine gun on the ground and later that day, when sent out on patrol, was fired at by "our own guys" while trying to land. He recently had a stroke, but is doing well in Carlsbad California and would love to hear from you..." [06AUG98]

HEARNE, Ed hearne@volcano.net "...I was a crewmember in VP 14 at the same time as Jim Thompson. Currently a member of PBY PBY Catalina International Association since it's beginning..." [23MAR99]

HOLLOSI, AVM/M1 Peter Jr. C/O His Son Peter M. Hollosi PHollosi@AOL.com "...My Dad was in WW 2, He served aboard the U.S.S. Lexington and the U.S.S. Wright. He was assigned to VP-14 NAS Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii (was there 7 Dec. 1941), VP-12 (Black Cats), and VPB-2 NAS Banana River, Florida. I would sincerly appreciate any info on missions, R & R, etc. I never got tired of his war stories. Thank you...Among Dad's crew members (from what I recall) was a pilot nicknamed "Red", another nicknamed "Greek", and Dad's best friend, Jim Landry, who was KIA at Midway (Dad witnessed that and never completely got over it). Thanx again..." [BIO Updated 18NOV99 | 04APR98]


LEARY, CPO Harold Max c/o Tom Leary Shipmate Pix Circa 1945 tomnjoleen@embarqmail.com "...I am looking for VPB-102 Shipmates. "Lil Nell" - My father is Max Leary. His last mission was on "Mister 5 X 5." Dad served with VP-51, VP-71, VP-14 and VP-102..." [E-Mail Updated 14APR2009 | PIX Added 26JAN2004 | 25JAN2004]

LEONARD, ADC John "Jack" Retired boxcar93@comcast.net "...I served with VP-14 and was combined with VPB-102 (WWII) and VPB-118. While serving with VP-14 / VPB-102 we flew the PBY-5s and PB4Y-1s and while serving with VPB-118 we flew the PB4Y-2 (first combat squadron to fly the PB4Y-2). I retired with 40 years (1942-1982) spanning both Active and Naval Reserve..." [E-Mail Updated 01SEP2011 | E-Mail Updated 07SEP2004 | 14DEC97]


McALLISTER, Ralph E. remcallister@machlink.com "...I was a Patrol Plane Commander VP-25 and VP-14. I would like to know if there is anybody out there from my squadron..." [20JUl2003]

MEEKER, E.W. (Gene) ewmeeker@gbronline.com "...I served with VP-14 in 1941..." [E-Mail Updated 01FEB2005 | 25DEC98]


PAULIN, Bill c/o His Son Bill Paulin docks@silverlink.net "...I am the son of Bill Paulin, pilot with VP-14 and VB-102's "Lil Nell". Am looking for crew members from either squadron with anecdotes, photos, etc. I would especially be interested in information related to VP-14's service in the South Pacific Feb. through August 1942..." [26OCT2001]

PHILLIPS, CPO Jack O. Retired gaye@eaze.net "...I was sworn into the Navy September 19, 1939, in Dallas. Our group was sent to Norfolk, Va. for boot camp. After boot camp I applied for aviation mechanics school which was located in NAS Pensacola, Florida but I had to wait a month or so for a new class to be formed. In the meantime, I served as a lifeguard at the officers swimming pool. January 29, 1940 I was increased in rating to second class seaman. January 31, 1940 I arrived in Pensacola and started my aviation mechanics training. This lasted until the 1st of June 1940. When I finished the school I had become a first class seaman. In June 1940 I was assigned to VP-14 which was located on NAS North Island, San Diego, California. VP-14 was a PBY squadron. I was in the beaching crew. PBY's in 1940 did not have permanently attached wheels. They were strictly seaplanes. To bring the PBY up on the beach wheels had to be attached and that was the job of the beaching crew. After the wheels were attached a tractor would tow the plane up a ramp to bring it ashore. During the time in San Diego I passed the test to become an AMM3c (Aviation Machinist Mate 3rd Class). I was in VP-14 and San Diego almost a year. On May 1941 I was transferred to a "receiving ship" in San Francisco. (A receiving ship is a place where naval personal are held while being reassigned). On May 8, 1941 I was assigned to a still unfinished ship, the USS Tangier (AV-8). Later I was assigned to VS-65, a scouting squadron that was operating from Funa Futi in the Ellice Islands. I made Chief Petty Officer and was transferred to Naval Air Station, Bunker Hill, Indiana. From there I was sent back to the West Coast for redeployment over seas. Due to a physical defect in my right hand I was put in the Hospital in California and had surgery. This was in 1945. The surgery was not successful. Then came the Bomb, which ended the war. My discharge from the Navy was past due. I went home and started TCU on the GI Bill..." [23SEP2001]


Memorial Picture "...RASSIEUR, REAR ADMIRAL William T...From a contemporary press report: May 22, 1993 - Rear Admiral William T. Rassieur, who left St. Louis as a teen-ager for a life at sea, died May 14, 1993, at the San Diego Hospice in San Diego, California. He was 93 and had lived in retirement in Rancho Santa Fe, California. After graduating from Cleveland High School in 1918, he joined the Navy as a radioman for service in World War I. He was among 600 enlisted sailors who took the Navy's test for Annapolis - and among 25 who passed. Admiral Rassieur graduated in 1923 and got his naval aviator's wings of gold in 1926. His first command was of VP-14 - a job he left to become executive officer of the seaplane tender USS Curtiss (AV-4) , at Pearl Harbor, just in time for the Japanese attack. For the rest of his life, Admiral Rassieur kept as a souvenir a piece from the propeller of the Japanese plane that crashed on the Curtis' deck. He wore two other souvenirs - the Purple Heart and the Bronze Star. He was the first commanding officer of NAS Patuxent River, Maryland, where today the community center bears his name. In 1944, he got his wartime command at sea - the escort carrier Sargent Bay, which took part in the fighting at Saipan, Palau, the Philippines and Iwo Jima. Admiral Rassieur's postwar career alternated between special duty as a nuclear weapons expert and commands - of the attack carrier Kearsarge, of the Navy's Middle East Force and of the naval air stations in the Hawaiian Islands. Admiral Rassieur retired at Pearl Harbor in 1952 with two-star honors. In retirement, he painted (seascapes and sailing ships), played the piano (ragtime) and entertained his guests with sleight-of-hand. The admiral enjoyed public speaking and took pride in his brevity...http://www.arlingtoncemetery.net/rassieur.htm..." [24JUN2003]

UPDATE "...I am the great-granddaughter of the brother of Retired Rear Adm. William T. Rassieur (NAS Patuxent River, Maryland, VP-14 and USS Curtiss (AV-4)), a wonderful man who I was fortunate enough to meet while he was still in good health. First, I would like to say, he is not forgotten. Second, I would like to thank ALL servicemen for their help in protecting our country. Third, does anyone know if his wife, Iris, is still alive and where?...Constance Rassieur Parsons Meech connieisnow@aol.com..." [11MAR2004]


Memorial Picture "...SCARBOROUGH, CAPT Wm. E. "Bill"...(VC-5, VP-10, VP-14, VP-72 and VPB-144)...Golden Eagle Emeritus CAPT William E. Scarborough, USN (Ret). Dear Golden Eagles, It is my sad duty to report that CAPT Bill Scarborough, USN (Ret) made his Last Take-off on 11 February 2013 at the Fleet Landing Health Center in Atlantic Beach, FL. He was 96. CAPT Scarborough is survived by his loving wife of 71 years, Sarah K. Scarborough, sons William E. Scarborough, Jr and Michael Scarborough, daughter Kathryn Scarborough Noyes, five grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. A full honors ceremony accompanied his interment at the Elmwood Cemetery in Columbia, SC on 15 February 2013. CAPT Scarborough enlisted in the United States Navy upon graduating from Columbia High School (SC) in 1935. After boot camp he served aboard the USS Erie and the USS Yorktown until 1938 when he was selected for flight training at Pensacola. He was a Third Class Petty Officer at the time and received his wings in 1939. After flight training he was assigned to VP-14 at NAS Norfolk, Virginia and flew PBY Catalina’s on North Atlantic patrols during which time his squadron took part in the search for the German Battleship Bismarck. Immediately following the bombing of Pearl Harbor, CAPT Scarborough’s squadron was sent to the Pacific theater to operate from seaplane bases in Noumea and Espirito Santo, where they took part in the Battle of the Coral Sea, the fight for Guadalcanal, and the Battle of Midway. He later served as Operations Officer of VPB-144 in the island-hopping campaign through the Central Pacific, and it was during this assignment that he received his commission to Lt (jg) in 1944. In the 1950’s, CAPT Scarborough was honored to be one of the few aviators selected to be a member of VC-5, the first Navy nuclear attack squadron. From 1952-1953 he served as Head of Safety Literature at the Naval Aviation Safety Activity (later the Naval Safety Center) and developed a report distributed to Fleet and Shore Stations entitled Weekly Aviation Safety Bulletin based on aircraft accident reports received by dispatch. The bulletin summarized those reports including recommended corrective actions, and in 1955 the bulletin was renamed Approach Magazine. CAPT Scarborough, whose decorations included the Distinguished Flying Cross, was the first enlisted pilot (NAP) to attain the rank of Captain, and during his career he was privileged to command VB 144 and VP 10. CAPT Scarborough retired from the Navy in 1964, but continued his service in the aviation industry as a flight safety engineer for Grumman Aerospace, most notably as a consulting pilot to the NASA astronauts in the Lunar Module program. He was a respected Naval Aviation historian and author, particularly well-known for his “In-Action” and “Walk-Around” books for Squadron Signal, as well as being a willing consultant to many other authors. We honor CAPT Scarborough’s dedicated and lifelong service to Naval Aviation and the Nation, and are further saddened by the loss of yet another member of the Greatest Generation. He will be missed. In sadness, Fred Lewis - Pilot - WebSite: The Golden Eagles..." Contributed by Jonathan Horne (son of LCDR Philip A. Horne) jhorne@izap.com [14AUG2013]

Shipmate Pix "...Captain Scarborough had some 2,000 pilot hours in PBYs before, during, and after World War . He enlisted in the Navy in 1935 and was selected for enlisted night training in 1938. Upon graduation the following year, he was a pilot and third class petty officer. He reported to Patrol Squadron 14 (VP-14) at Norfolk, flying the last P2Y-2s in squadron service. VP-14, by then redesignated VP-52, received its first PBY-5s in March 1941 and spent the remainder of the year in Neutrality Patrol operations ranging from Puerto Rico to Newfoundland and Iceland. The squadron was redesignated VP-72 in 1941, and the next year Captain Scarborough was selected for a temporary commission as lieutenant (junior grade). During the war, he operated PBYs from New Caledonia during the Coral Sea Battle, from Hawaii and Midway during the Midway Battle, and in the Southwest Pacific during the Solomons campaign. He had a subsequent combat tour in the Lockheed/Vega Ventura (PV-1). After the war, he was selected for a regular commission and served on active duty until retiring in 1964. He retired from Grumman Aerospace Corporation in 1977 and is now at work on a book about the PBY/Catalina...."


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