VFP-62 Bulletin Board
VFP-62 RF8 913 BuNo 145645 taking a picture of the VA-66 A-4 formation
USS Intrepid detachment June 16, 1961
Picture taken by pilot John DeChant. Contributed by Don Van Horn PHC
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Updated: February 10, 2010
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Click here to read: Bulletin Board Information Archive__Updated: February 10, 2010
New HBO Movie - "The Pacific"
March 14, 2010
Set your DVR/VCR
Dale Dye describes work on HBO's "The Pacific"
By Capt. Dale Dye USMC (Ret), Senior Military Advisor on HBO's "The Pacific."
It took nearly two years of hard campaigning to get it right but in March of this year American TV audiences will get an unflinching, historically accurate and very absorbing look at World War II in the Pacific as fought by men of the vaunted 1st Marine Division.
In my billet as the Senior Military Advisor for this monster undertaking, Executive Producer Tom Hanks gave me a set of deceptively simple marching orders: "Get up under the helmet of those Marines and take the audience on the trip they made to hell and back between 1942 and 1945." That's what we did over the year we spent in shooting the project which HBO has given a simple, evocative title: "The Pacific."
And it's what HBO subscribers will see when the first episode of the maxi-series airs on March 14. Like its hugely successful predecessor "Band of Brothers," this series will be presented on HBO in ten one-hour episodes with plans to sell a boxed set sometime following initial TV release.
Contributed by Pete Hanner
RF-8 Bureau Number 145609--VFP-62 Nose Number 906
Pre-Restoration Photos at National Museum of Naval Aviation, Pensacola FL
December 12, 2009: Information has been received that this RF8, sitting on the NMNA Flight Line for years, has been moved to a location for restoration as a VFP-62 plane. In addition to service with VFP-62, it also served with VMCJ-4 and VFP-63. Owen Miller reports, "They are pouring the footings for the new annex to the museum this week. The goal is for it to open in 2011 with the Centennial of Naval Aviation. They have picked a group of planes to get ready now to be put inside the building. The first batch they will work on are the ones to be hung from the overhead. This is a very ambituous undertaking to have done by 2011. With the new Active Duty Volunteer program it might happen. Anyway, that is the plan at this time. It will hang from the overhead in VFP-62 markings."
EXTERNAL LINK (Adobe PDF format): Information on the 2011 Centennial
USS Franklin D. Roosevelt Cruise Video
- Please go to my website: www.usnavyphotos.com . There are links to a number of cruises of the FDR. High Speed Internet needed.
I'm planning a Video for every cruise from 1957-58 on. A few are nearly finished. They might be of interest to the VFP-62, 63 detachments who were aboard.
Larry Blumenthal, webmaster
[vfp62.com webmaster's note: HIGH SPEED INTERNET REQUIRED AS THIS IS A LENGTHY DOWNLOAD, HOWEVER, IT IS WORTH IT. VFP-62 RF8's shown are 905 BuNo 144624 (lost 6 Sept) in one recovery and one prelaunch. There are recoveries for both 902 BuNo 146883 & 903 BuNo 144615. Larry's appeal for old movie footage below:]
[Webmaster's Note: In addition to the above website, Larry is creating a new site: www.ussfranklindroosevelt.com Larry says, "I have just put up the start of a new website, www.ussfranklindroosevelt.com, which will be all about the FDR and her squadrons. A VFP-62 F8U is one of the rotating headers on the site. Please go have a look."]
MAIL CALL
Webmaster's Message: We occasionally get interesting mail. In an effort to share that, I've created a new link:
- Click here to read: Viewer's Mail to the SiteUpdated: December 19, 2008
Stay in Touch Links and Information
Click on underlined text.
- June 8:
USS FORRESTAL Association CVA/CV/AVT-59 Website - Has Been Updated
Visit Website> USS FORRESTAL Association CVA/CV/AVT-59 Website
1. To Join Association - click here> Download Membership Application -Printout and submit
Some of the Benefits of Joining
1) 16 page publication "USS Forrestal Newsletter the Spot Sheet" mailed to your home address on Quarterly basis every year with membership in the USS Forrestal CVA/CV/AVT-59 Association with FID Facts, Ships Log 55-93, Historical Almanac and Pictures, latest news on Ship & Shipmates, Upcoming Events/Ceremonies""""" This is the only OFFICIAL USS FORRESTAL NEWSLETTER Your Newsletter will not be E-mailed""""""
2) The latest news on decommissioned USS Forrestal.
3) How to Register for the next USS FORRESTAL Reunions (VA Beach, VA Sept 2009 and San Diego 2010).
4) What USS FORRESTAL Merchandise is available in the Ships Store
5) USS FORRESTAL SHIPMATE Roster - How to purchase containing names and addresses of over 3000
Forrestal Shipmates including Division/Squadron and time aboard.
6) When the next ceremony is to honor all our 276 Fallen Brothers who served aboard
Forrestal from 1955-93 and our 134 Fallen Shipmates who gave there all 29 July 1967.
- Click here for: USS Forrestal Ceremonies and Information
- A good "People Finder" : zabasearch.com
- A rich website specially created to provide Sailors of all eras the opportunity to not only locate Shipmates from the past, but also to provide a unique venue to enjoy the camaraderie of others who served through the sharing of memories and photographs. "Together We Served" is a neat site populated by present and former sailors and officers. But only a few of the over 400,000 who have signed up have noted an affiliation with VFP-62 -- six to be exact. There are two types of membership - free and full, which costs $20/year, $45 for three years and $125 for a lifetime. If you join please credit Marion Swinford or Jim Brumm.
- Free site to join. The site has a good Buddy Finder, military news updates, videos, and a VFP-62 group to join. Military.com Periodic emails are sent to keep you informed.
- Lots of U.S. Navy information, history, specials for members and more: U S Navy Institute
- External link to an Adobe (.pdf) file of: U.S. Navy Photomates database contributed by: Jim Trenoskie
Information Requests
Dear VFP-62 Webmaster:
I am a model builder and plan to build a kit of the RF-8 Crusader in VFP-62 markings. I am wondering if you know where I can obtain VFP-62 decals in 1/72 scale.
Tim Cromartie
email: tigerten@earthlink.net
Career Photo Interpretation (PT's)
Need some info about a couple of people and perhaps you might know. We are trying to set up a get-together of career type PTs. Do you happen to know what ever become of Vince Bailey (or Gailey)? He made chief while with VFP-62 in the early 60's. Also during that time the LCPO was PTCM James N. Spahn. Can you shed any light on either one?
Thanks, Bill Hile (email address: ibnfshn@cox.net)
- We have a photograph taken from Norman Youngblood’s plane from 1958 as he was landing on the Intrepid, and we plan to feature it in our museum’s reopening this November. Does anyone have contact information for him or his family? We’d like to find out more about his time on the Intrepid, as well as the experiences of others from the squadron who served aboard our ship during the late 1950s and early 60s.
Many thanks in advance for any assistance that you might offer. By the way, you have a great squadron website!
John Zukowsky
Chief Curator
Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum
One Intrepid Square
12th Avenue & 46th Street
New York, NY 10036-4103
P.212.957.7049
Email replys to: jzukowsky@intrepidmuseum.org
While the Intrepid is on leave our staff will continue our mission to Honor, Educate and Inspire through Intrepid Sails, our traveling, educational outreach program. For information log onto: Intrepid Museum and watch for our return in 2008.
- Anybody out there from Det 37-57 FDR? Also Pilots Joe Pline John Kramer Warren Dukes or Ens Mike? Please Contact Dave (Swede) Olson olsondd@charter.net Thanks.
- INFORMATION REQUEST:Im trying to find the other fellows who flew with my dad [Charlie Counter] in Det 43-58. Those are; Henry North, R J (or G?) "Bucky" Walters, Charlie Ray, and Jack Hennessey. Do you know if it is R or G Walters ?, and do you know of the status of Jack Hennessey? Did he die in a plane crash?
Todd Counter, son of Charlie Counter
My email address is: Click to email Todd: kd5dov@yahoo.com
- INFORMATION REQUEST: Could anyone tell me the where abouts of Frank Fiorini, Stan and Red Davidson as well as Tom DeWolf?
Greg Engler
My email address is: Click to email Greg: grege@mfi.net
- INFORMATION REQUEST: Does anyone have any contacts for the detachment pilots in the VFP-61/62 detachment aboard "runway 9" - the USS Essex circa 1956-57. One was Bob Ochterloney(?). Another possibly was Ralph Sykes. I'd appreciate a fill in for the other two. The VFP-61/62 guys used our ready- room. Good people.
Regards,
Bill Connor VF-112, CAG-11
Email: Bill Connor wconnor8@comcast.net
- INFORMATION REQUEST: During the Cuban Missile Crisis when VFP-62 made the flights over Cuba, did any of the RF-8A Crusader get hit with any Anti-Aircraft or small arms fire during these missions? Also would anyone remember VF-32 flying support of the Photo Recon missions? I’m gathering information to record what the Swordsmen of Fighting-32 have done during this time. VF-32 sent a Det. to Key West and at that time the squadron was home based out of NAS Cecil Field. VF-32 is assigned with CAG-3, Tail code "AC" and deployed with the USS Saratoga CV-60, and flying the F8U-2N. Any information you may have will be greatly appreciated.
Ken Walling, webmaster www.vf32.info
- Response #1:To the best of my knowledge, there was no battle damage to any VFP-62 aircraft during the CMC. Now bird strikes, that is another question.
I am almost certain that I talked to Bill Ecker (CO during the CMC) and he confirmed that the battle damage suggested in Thirteen Days was a bunch of Hollywood BS.
The only thing that I can add is that I remember that the CO of (I think it was) VF-32 was CDR Gordo Gray. Great guy.
They were the guys who would probably take off via a green light from the tower (radio silence) shortly after the RF-8s took off under the same conditions. Prior to take off, they would have briefed with the photo guys and knew our coast-in and coast-out points.
What a wonderful thought it was to know that they were waiting for us at our exit from the beach. And when we did, they would radio to say that our tails were clear.
I do not recall whether the ROE (rules of engagement) permitted them to fly over Cuba if we were shot down. I seem to think (wishfully?) that they could.
In short, we photo-beanies were most appreciative of the fighter guys who were there to cover us in spades.
Capt. Ed Feeks, Jacksonville, FL
[Webmaster's Note: Gordon L. Gray Jr. (USN retired) died on December 2, 2007 from complications relating to pneumonia.]
- INFORMATION REQUEST Who was the VFP-62 Photo Officer before CDR Koch? --Submitted by Jim Brumm
- Response: CDR Griffin comes to mind. When he left us, I believe he went up to Armed Forces Radio in NYC. True? - Adam Miklovis
- Jim Brumm's Response: Yes! Thank you Adam.
He's the reason I ended up at Armed Forces Radio and got the news experience that carried me through a career as a reporter.
CDR Griffin was OIC of Armed Forces Radio New York, which was part of the Armed Forces Press Radio and TV Service, New York office. I never figured out how a LDO (Photo Officer) got that assignment, but I'm glad he did. As memory serves, he sought it to be as near as possible to his retirement home in New York's Hudson Valley.
When I got shore duty orders in the Spring of 62, I was waiting to sew on my Second Class Crow -- which I did in May, before departing in June. My shore duty orders were to the Pentagon -- which did not sound like a fun place for a newly minted JO2. I also got orders to NESEP prep school which I had earned by passing the test the previous fall.
Just before I took that test, I learned that NESEP -- Naval Enlisted Scientific Education Program -- had dropped the major I wanted: Metrology. But at LCDR Gunther's (SP? the admin officer) urging, I took the test anyway. The next spring I was glad I had an option. I went to prep school at Bainbridge, MD, hoping I could convince the folks there to let me study something besides engineering. I had tried that on my own a few years earlier and did not appreciate trying again. When I was told no, I said send me to shore duty.
As I understand it -- probably from the conversation I had with CDR Griffin the day I arrived at AFRS NY -- he had gone to the Journalist desk in BuPers looking for a couple journalists for the newsroom. He went through the pile of orders awaiting shore duty assignment and pulled out two he knew. I was one of them, which got me the experience I needed to go to work for Dow Jones when I got out of the Navy.
- INFORMATION REQUEST: Does anyone remember Lt. Lynn's ejection from a VFP-62 F9F-8P off Barbados, or the two F8U-1Ps that crashed near Cecil Field?---John McKenna
Response: It was a F9F-8P Cougar. Just one plane involved. It was November 17, 1958. A cockpit fire during the climb after takeoff caused a spinout and loses of all electrical equipment and communications and hydraulics. The Cougar was flown from there on by backup cables.
Lt. Robert E. Lynn brought the Cougar out of a spin and returned to the Intrepid and used hand signals to another aircraft which had the deck cleared for landing. When landing the Cougar, the arresting wires were set for a Cougar with the extra fuel tanks empty, but with the F9F's electrical system out, the tanks could not be dumped so the plane landed at almost twice the normal weight. Dad caught the center cable which hydraulics was set for a lighter plane. After a hard jerk the arrestor broke, the F9F continued off the deck and dropped but had just enough speed to skim away and then slowly gain altitude.
Another aircraft signaled for Dad to follow and land at Barbados. When he was close enough to see the island the engine died and he ejected. He landed in the sea and a banana boat picked him up until an island ship brought him ashore. The next day he returned to the carrier and within 24 hours he was made to take a short flight, take off and landing on the Intrepid.
I have pictures, a copy of the newspaper and article at Bridgetown, Barbados about the rescue and maybe a recording I made interviewing dad. Click to see an image of the newspaper article:U S Navy Jet Crashes in Sea
Daniel Lynn, son
- INFORMATION REQUEST: Good Morning Sir,
As an avid aircraft modeler and a veteran of the U.S Army and USAF I send my highest regards and deepest sympathies to all that have served and died while honoring themselves and our country while serving Thank You All. I'm writing this morning in hopes of trying to gather some information regarding an incident on August 27.1972 over North Vietnam.
I'm trying to find the BuNo of an RF-8 from VFP-63 Det 3, CVA-41 ( call sign "BABY GIANT" ) that was on a recee BDA mission when the F-4B NF-210 BuNo 151013, that was escorting MIGCAP was lost to a SA-2 . Of the six SAMS fired at them one struck home and sent the crew to "The Hilton" for the remainder of the war. I want to build a model of THAT RF-8 but have very little info to go on. Any information or stories,pictures etc.. regarding incident would be greatly appreciated.
Thank You
Mitchell Slaughter.
e-mail:Click to email me:
- Response #1: That must have been Clark's escort. The VF 151 crew. I would have to look at the cruise book to remember his name. Big tall guy was the pilot. I have no idea which airplane he was flying at the time and Clark was killed a long time ago so would not know how to check his logbook. Except for Vic who was lost at the end of the war that was the only other escort we lost. - Skip Leonard
- Response #2: The crew of the VF-151 loss on 27 AUG 1972 was LCDR Theodore W. Triebel and LTJG David A Everett according to the 1972 USS MIDWAY cruise book. Clark Bruce was the photo pilot who lost an escort over the beach. I have no details of the event. I do not know the BUNO of the RF-8G Clark was flying that day. Clark died at sea many years ago in an EA-6B and I have lost contact with his wife and family; I do not know where his logbook might be. I do not know where the unit master flight logs from those years are kept or if they were kept. Clark returned to the ship, very low state, could not get his inflight refueling probe out and landed with about 600 lbs of fuel, did not tell anyone, just did it. The CO of VF-161 was very angry with Clark for not staying over the crash sight until relieved by a SAR CAP: Clark said he was run out of the area by AAA so he stayed just off the coast and attempted to guide the SAR CAP to the sight but it is likely they were never able to locate the F-4. You might find something by looking for SAR efforts, must have been messages sent about the SAR. Sorry I cannot help you more; it was a long time ago. If there is an F-4 organization around or a VF-151 unit on the internet, they might know. Baby Giant was the call sign given to our detachment because our squadron call of Corktip was being used by another detachment in the area.
Will Gray
OinC VFP-63 Det 3
- Response #3: The four pilots on that det were Gordie Page (shot down/POW) Paul Ringwood(shot up, but got out of it), Skip Leonard, Clarke Bruce. As I said before, Gordie took over the det after me. After he got shot down, Will went out to take the det. Will also went on to be a CO of an EA6 squadron. Clarke went on to an EA6 squadron. Unfortunately, he flew into the water one night off the cat - took three people with him. --Scott Ruby
- INFORMATION REQUEST: Do any of you remember the "lemon" Don Jusko painted on - I think it was 911 (or 913) - during a shake down cruise in early '64? The fly-off was just off the coast of Jacksonville - as we were going back to port in Norfolk. Before the planes could land at Cecil - Chance-Vaunght had contacted the CO @ Cecil and told to "GET THAT PLANE PAINTED". Wonder if any of the photos of this event survived? Not too sure but that LTJG Staub was the pilot.--George Montgomery former PN3
(Don Jusko says, "He caught a lot of hell for that!" - webmaster)
- INFORMATION REQUEST: During our time in Istanbul - Det 59 - we got up one morning to have the Russian fleet anchored "within our Carrier Group"!! There were photos taken, I can remember them as clear as day - thought I had some, but can't find. I had thought that I would find them on the VFP-62 web sight - maybe I need to check the Forrestal photos. Do any of you recall this? -- George Montgomery former PN3
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