VP-71 History
Circa 1945
A BIT OF HISTORY: "...Photographs from My father, PH2 Alfred BALASI, flew CAC with CASU-57 and had these in his wartime photo collection. Samar of VPB-71 PBY-5A BUNO: 46516 (LT(jg) Mackay) on April 28, 1945 moving the staff and patients of a filipino guerilla hospital from Oras, Samar Island to Tanauan, Jinamoc Seaplane Base, San Pedro Bay, Leyte Gulf, Philippines. Several years ago, I corresponded with a VPB-71 veteran W.F. "Tommy" Thompson who authenticated the photos. Also attached are some images of VPB-71 PBY-5A BUNO: 46517-E-68 "Black Eagle"..." Contributed by Mark Balasi balasi@comcast.net [04JAN2015]
Circa 1944
A BIT OF HISTORY: "...History of FAW-14 - History from 15OCT42-01DEC42 - Submitted December 22nd, 1944. Squadron's Assigned: VP-1, VP-2, VP-4, VP-11, VP-12, VP-13, VP-14, VP-15, VP-21, VP-23, VP-24, VP-33, VP-44, VP-53, VP-54, VP-71, VP-72, VP-81, VP-91, VP-101, VP-102, VP-103, VP-104, VP-106, VP-109, VP-111, VP-115, VP-117, VP-118, VP-119, VP-121, VP-122 and VP-202..." Official U. S. Navy Records (National Archives and Records Administration) via Fold3 http://www.fold3.com/ [06DEC2012]
Circa 1943 - 1945
A BIT OF HISTORY: "...ETTINGER, LCDR Robert L...My Uncle, Robert L. Ettinger, passed away July 22, 2008. He was a LCDR and served with VP-71 and VPB-106 flying the PB4Y-2 and PBY-5A during WWII. He was a very quiet man and when asked about the war, all he would say was that he was a pilot and saw a few things. After his death, his family found his pictures, log book and medals which included Distinguished Flying Cross (2 Gold Stars), Air Medal (5 Gold Stars), American Theatre Ribbon, Asiatic - Pacific Theatre Ribbon (2 Bronze Stars) and the Phillipine Liberation Ribbon (Bronze Star). The following pictures are from my Uncle's personal collection..." Contributed by Terry Baize applegator1@yahoo.com [19JUL2016]
PERSONAL SCRAPBOOK VP-71
VP-101
VP-104
VP-106
NAAS Camp Kearny, California
A BIT OF HISTORY: "...ETTINGER, LCDR Robert L...My Uncle, Robert L. Ettinger, passed away July 22, 2008. He was a LCDR and served with VP-71 and VPB-106 flying the PB4Y-2 and PBY-5A during WWII. He was a very quiet man and when asked about the war, all he would say was that he was a pilot and saw a few things. After his death, his family found his pictures, log book and medals which included Distinguished Flying Cross (2 Gold Stars), Air Medal (5 Gold Stars), American Theatre Ribbon, Asiatic - Pacific Theatre Ribbon (2 Bronze Stars) and the Phillipine Liberation Ribbon (Bronze Star). The following pictures are from my Uncle's personal collection..." Contributed by Terry Baize applegator1@yahoo.com [18JUL2016] LOGBOOK VP-71 (04/1943 through 06/1945)
Circa 1942
A BIT OF HISTORY: "...History of FAW-4 - History of Headquarters Squadron Fleet Air Wing Four - Established: 01OCT42. Squadron's Assigned: VP-41, VP-42, VP-43, VP-49, VP-56, VP-61, VP-62, VP-70, VPB-135, VPB-136 and VPB-139 - Submitted January 18, 1945..." Official U. S. Navy Records (National Archives and Records Administration) via Fold3 http://www.fold3.com/ [26NOV2012]
Circa 1941 - 1944
A BIT OF HISTORY: "...History of FAW-7 - History from 01MAR41-31DEC44 Submitted June 11th, 1945. Squadron's Assigned: VP-31, VP-52, VP-53, VP-63, VP-71, VP-72, VP-73, VP-74, VP-82, VP-84, VP-92, VP-93, VP-103, VP-105, VP-110, VP-111, VP-114, VP-125, VP-126 and VP-128..." Official U. S. Navy Records (National Archives and Records Administration) via Fold3 http://www.fold3.com/ [30NOV2012]
"VP-71 History Summary Page"
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