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Mishap VP-33 MishapsMishap

1940's

MishapsMISHAPs: 19 AUG 42 A/C: PBY-5 pby Location: Manzanillo Bay, NAS Coco Solo, Panama, Canal Zone Strike: Yes BUNO: 04474 CAUSE: Crashed on take-off in collision with Panama Canal Tug "ALHAJUCLA" At time plane began take-off run, the tug was approaching the take-off area in position approximately 322deg, 2100yds distant from plane. Plane began take-off run proceeding in a direction approximately 335deg True. Plane running lights were bright; Tugs lights were dimmed in accordance with blackout regulations. Tug continued on its course at full speed ahead until collision occurred. Plane at time of collision was either airborne or nearly so. Nose of plane was at least 15.5-ft above water at time it struck tug. Bow of plane stuck vicinity of deckhouse, starboard bulkhead of pilot house of tug. Port engine was torn loose and sunk. Port wing struck mainmast of tug, bending it to port. Gasoline from fuel tanks of plane was thrown over tug and set it instant fire to tug and portions of plane remaining on tug. Damage: Plane demolished. Plane crew: Pilot. Machinist. Raymond Edward Jordan/Killed, Ens. Miller Hugo Piberg/Killed, Ens. Harry Harrison Ford,Jr/Killed, Ens. Alfred Curtis,Jr/Killed, Amm2c. Joseph Cornelius Rowinsky/Killed, Rm3c. Mack Cecil Kelson/Killed, Sea2c. Langley Anton Willis/Killed, Sea2c .Charles Yohn/Killed, and AP1c. Bergon Frank Brokaw/Seriously inj. Tug Crew: William Herbert Nesbitt (QM,ret)/Killed, William H. Tredick (Panama Canal Pilot)/Killed, Charles C. Sayers (oiler)/Killed, Oswego Newball (boastswain)/Killed, Harold L. Stevenson (chief engineer)/Killed, Fritz S. Jules (engineer room helper)/Killed, Jishua R. Buntin (seaman)/Minor inj, Charles Ben (boatswain)/Minor inj, James W. Turner (seaman)/Minor inj, William E. Lee (cook)/Minor inj, and Jose Guitierez (seaman)/Minor inj. Contributed by Terry pb4y-2@sbcglobal.net [29JUN2001]


MishapsMISHAPs: 06 NOV 42 A/C: PBY-5 pby Location: Manzanillo Bay, NAS Coco Solo, Panama, Canal Zone Strike: Yes BUNO: 04454 CAUSE: Plane was observed making a normal power landing, but on take-off it waterlooped. The wind was almost on the beam of the plane which undoubtedly was the cause of the waterloop. Starboard wing tip float was broken off and seam opened in hull below navigators compartment. Plane filled with water and sank. Damage:Plane complete loss. Crew OK: Pilot Ens. Wayland K. Coston, Cap. Boleslaus Cieslinski (piloting plane), Cap. John A. McFerron, Amm3c .Leonard H. Howell,Jr., Amm3c .Charles W. Kreycik, Amm2c. Joseph Kotro, Amm2c. Norman T. Day, Rm1c. Bruce K. Ellington, Rm3c. Eugene K. Wiar, and Sea2c. John R. Adkins. Contributed by Terry pb4y-2@sbcglobal.net [29JUN2001]


MishapsMISHAPs: 11 JAN 43 A/C: PBY-5 pby Location: Manzaillo Bay, Coco Solo, CZ Strike: No BUNO: 04452 CAUSE: Plane started take-off on a north-east course. As it passed to westward of the first buoy from France Field, it hit a submerged object and bow went high in the air. Water immediately began to fill mechanic's compartment. Pilot ordered water tight doors closed and all hands topside, pilot started for ramp, arriving there before plane sank. Damage: Skin torn on port side bottom. Outboard stringers broken. Bulkhead at station #7 broken. Keel damaged. Chine broken. Crew and pass ok. Pilot Lt(jg) Thomas A. Bassett, AV-N USNR, Ens Edson B. Thompson, AV-N USNR, AP1c John R. Nation, USN, AMM3c Charles W. Nichols, USN, AMM3c Kenneth R. Cecil, USNR, ARM1c Eugene M. Fischer, USN, Sea1c Richard W. Utterberg, USN, CAP Ogden D. King (MC), USN, Lt(jg) Lester E. Bote (MC), USN, Lt(jg) Ralph L. Pierce, AV-S USNR, and Lt(jg) Peter N. Heintskill, CEC-VS USNR. Contributed by Terry pb4y-2@sbcglobal.net [05DEC2002]


MishapsMISHAPs: 22 MAR 44 A/C: PBY-5 pby Location: Over Hollandia Strike: Yes BUNO: 08522 CAUSE: Shot Down. Contributed by Phillip Fazzini phillip.fazzini@zoomtown.com [30MAY2015]

UPDATE "...I read your notice about the loss of LT(jg) Russell M Childs and the crew of PBY BUNO 08522. I did a little digging through the Fold3 online War Diaries of VPB-33 and could not find a casualty report for this loss. As a matter of fact, the VPB-33 war diaries did not report any of their losses in early 1944. Most war diaries I've seen will at least indicate the date of the loss of a plane, even if they don't mention the details; the VPB-33 diary or March, 1944 doesn't say a thing about the loss. The last entry for PBY BUNO 08522 shows a night search mission of 16.9 hours flown by a LT(jg) Hoffman on 10 March 1944. The last entry for LT (jg) Childs shows that he flew a 17 hour night search mission in BuNo 08244 on 7 March 1944.

That's about all I could find in the War Diaries; I even checked the diaries and War History of Fleet Air Wing 17 but still did not find anything about Childs' loss.

I did find a Find a Grave photo of Childs' inscribed name on the Tablets of the Missing at the Manila American Cemetery: http://image2.findagrave.com/photos/2013/24/56769854_135915974439.jpg

Well, I thought I'd write - it's a bit strange that there is so little information about this casualty. Good luck with your search.

Best Regards,

Dave Deatherage
satx_dave@flash.net
Son of Paul Deatherage, VPB-119, 1944-45

UPDATE "...Please add this VP-33 Mishap 22 March 1944 discussed on http://www.pacificwrecks.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=5164..." Contributed by Phillip Fazzini phillip.fazzini@zoomtown.com [30MAY2015]

Shot down on the night of March 11/12, 1944 during operations over Hollandia. Interestingly, I have read that the crew was believed to have survived the crash only to be executed by the Japanese. The plane was piloted by LTJG Russell M Childs and I believe the entire crew was as follows:

LTJG Russell M Childs
ENS John C Thornton
ARM2 William Desh
ARM2 William Lee Treadway Jr
AOM3 John Mihalik
AOM3 George F Davis
AMM2 Kenneth P Shields
AMM3 Marshall D Coke Jr

The plane was stricken from the record in December 1944. I will continue to do more digging but I think I might be on the right track now. Crazy how one little typo can completely throw off research.

Coby Treadway


MishapsMISHAPs: 21 MAY 44 A/C: PBM-5 Marina Location: Samarai, New Guinea Strike: Yes BUNO: 08509 Cause: Engine failure and spun in off Samarai Guinea. There were three survivors and six fatalities

UPDATE "...WW2 KIA Grouping Pilot OTTO L BUSHEY Shot Down Pacific - Several years ago I purchased an estate here in San Diego. The relatives asked that I find a good home for this WW2 memrobilia. The Naval pilot was their uncle, who they never knew. Otho Leroy Bushey was a postal employee prior to being called to action in World War Two. He was part of the 7th Fleet 33rd Patrol Squadron. He was shot down over the Pacific on May 21, 1944. His name is the first listed WWII servicman on the Memorial that was installed at the Terminal Annex Post Office in Los Angeles, Ca. This grouping includes the original aritist rendering of the Memorial drawn by Hollis Lee, photo of the memorial, portrait of Otto L. Bushey, the official Western Union telegram notifcation of Otto L. Bushey's death, presentation coffin flag, Otto's Cadet class photo with autographs of many of his mates, butttons, an Asiatic Pacific Campaign medal, various official letters, Otto's Aviator's Flight Log Book, his CPT Pilot Rating Book, his Naval Aviator certificati, Manilla American Cemetery and Memorial book, and a Memorial certificate..." WebSite: EBay http://cgi.ebay.com/ WW2-Grouping-KIA-Pilot-OTTO-L-BUSHEY-Shot-Down-Pacific_W0QQitemZ260053646562QQihZ016QQcategoryZ4718QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem [19NOV2006]

History - Tap To Enlarge ThumbnailHistory - Tap To Enlarge ThumbnailHistory - Tap To Enlarge ThumbnailHistory - Tap To Enlarge ThumbnailHistory - Tap To Enlarge Thumbnail
History - Tap To Enlarge ThumbnailHistory - Tap To Enlarge ThumbnailHistory - Tap To Enlarge ThumbnailHistory - Tap To Enlarge Thumbnail 


UPDATE "...Pilot was on local test flight for starboard engine run-in, which had just been installed. At 1125 Amm2c.R. I. Ayres V-6, who was in the engineers tower, noted that the oil pressure on the port engine had dropped to zero and immediately notified the pilot. Order was given to stop engine. But no attempt was made to feather propeller. The plane started to lose altitude in a left turn with port engine windmilling. The pilot trying to keep the plane in the air, applied almost full throttle to the starboard engine, but apparently failed to adjust the rudder tabs. The plane crashed into the water in a left spiral from 500-ft altitude and airspeed of about 125-knots. "Total Loss" Crew & passengers: Pilot Lt(jg) John Edward Tuohy A-V(N) USNR/Killed, Amm3c Tom Don Balistreri USNR/Missing, Sea2c Corayzo Giacometti USNR/Seriously inj, Shipfitter1c Arthuur Joseph Wieltz USNR/Missing, Ens Otto Leroy Bushey USNR/Missing, Aom2c Dominic Rocco Aquino USNR/Missing, Rm2c John Paul Hartigan USNR/Missing, Aom2c Robert george Brooker USNR/Seriously inj, and Amm2c Robert Leo Ayers USNR/Seriously inj..." Contributed by Terry pb4y-2@sbcglobal.net [09AUG2001]

UPDATE "...I am seeking any information about my cousin, Ensign JOHN EDWARD TUOHY, A-V(N), U.S. Naval Reserve. He was from Paterson, NJ. My other family members always told me they didn't know anything about the circumstances of his death other than that his plane didn't return to the carrier. But, I have recently found a certficate, signed by President Franklin D. Roosevelt, that was sent to the family during the war after his death. It gives the date of his death as May 21, 1944. The only other information on this certificate is that he died at sea, Pacific Area and that he was with the 33rd PATROL SQAUDRON (VP-33). I tried a couple of years ago to get copies of his service records from the National Records office in St. Louis, but all I got from them was a form that said I needed his 'service number' which I don't have. If anyone knew him, or knows what happened to him, or knows where I could find out, please let me know...Vin Dreeland vdree@goes.com..." [28NOV99]

MishapsMISHAPs: 08 SEP 44 A/C: PBY-5 pby Location: Advance base SWPac Strike: Yes BUNO: 08244 CAUSE: The wind was blowing from the East at about eight knots, while PPC was warming the engines for take-off. Just as the pilot was preparing to take-off there was an approach of a sudden rain squall, wind switched 180deg to the West with winds at five to eight knots. During the take-off run at approximately forty-five knots, plane bounced and settle back on to the water, only to bounce once more. On the third bounce, at approximately sixty-five knots the bottom gave way in the mechanic's compartment. The plane hit a trough, nosing into part of the next swell and coming to an abrupt stop in a cloud of spray. Plane was loaded with 4-500lb bombs, 4-100lb bombs, six parafrags, machine gun ammunition and 1400 gallons of gasoline. "Strike" Crew: Pilot Lt(jg) John Richardson Ramsay A-V(N) USNR/Killed, Ens Robert Charles Luedice A-V(N) USNR/Seriously inj, Ens Walter Leo Carel A-V(N) USNR/Seriously inj, Ens John William Combes A-V(N) USNR/Seriously inj, Rm2c Vincent Gamilino USNR/Killed, Aom2c William Joseph Considine V-6 USNR/Minor inj, Rm1c Richard Willis Holloway USNR/Minor inj, Amm2c Vincent Jimmie Vigliaturp USN/Seriously inj, Amm2c Edmond William Mirynowski USN/Minor inj, and Amm1c Walter Siedlecki USNR/Seriously inj. Contributed by Terry pb4y-2@sbcglobal.net [12AUG2001]


MishapsMISHAPs: 05 DEC 44 A/C: PBY-5 pby Location: Woendi, British New Guinea Strike: Yes BUNO: 08138 CAUSE: Pilot attempted take-off on a anti-submarine patrol mission, Plane loaded with 4 X 325lb bombs and 1450 gallons of gasoline. Wind was very slight. The plane started his take-off run straight across the bay on an easterly direction. He did not notice that a squall was moving into the area. At a speed of fifty knots the plane hit a swell and bounced. On the third bounce the bottom of the hull split open in the bunk compartment and water rushed in. The throttle were cut and plane came to a stop, sinking ten minutes later. Crew OK. Pilot Lt(jg) George U. Favorites A-1 USNR, Ens Robert D. Luenke A-1 USNR, Ens Milton E. Metzler A-1 USNR, Amm1c James B. Ewak USNR, Rm2c Robert F. Koster USN, Rm2c Thomas L. McNulty V-6 USNR, Rm2c George C. Shelhamer V-6 USNR, Aom2c George E.DeLong V-2 USN, and Rm2c Paul G. Diez USNR. Contributed by Terry pb4y-2@sbcglobal.net [14AUG2001]


MishapsMISHAPs: A/C: PBM-5 Marina "...My uncle, Vincent Gambino, flew with VP-33 during WWII and was lost in action somewhere in the vicinity of New Guinea. Any connection, knowledge, direction concerning the squadron's mission, planes, people would be greatly appreciated by me and a wonderful gift to my father..." - John Anthony UberAnt@AOL.COM

UPDATE "...Vincent Gambino (Find A Grave Memorial# 112241573) on http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GSln=Gambino&GSiman=1&GScid=2143865&GRid=112241573&..." Contributed by Phillip Fazzini phillip.fazzini@zoomtown.com [30MAY2015]

UPDATE"...Guy Chamberlin gchambrln@roe35.lth2.k12.il.us passed on eyewitness accounts of the crash from the book Black Cats with Wings of Gold. The fact that my father heard the stories of those that witnessed the crash, pulled the survivors from the wreckage, and felt the pain of not finding Uncle Vinnie or the pilot, John Ramsey, provided the final bit of closure for my father. He has brought out the letters and diary of my uncle from the war. I have seen the letter from Vinnie's CO; the crash is described similarly to the other accounts. My uncle was initially buried on an island off New Guinea, then re-patriated to the states. He received a military burial and a posthumous medal. We are not sure where the medal is. My sister heard of my interaction with Guy and began a web search of her own; she is turning up information on the Black Cats on her own. She is a partner in a law firm, and her mentor-partner became interested. It turns out his father flew a PBY and was killed in action in a crash off of Australia. He took off on his own search and found the book in a San Fransisco library. Meanwhile, my father received a copy of the book in the mail from George Favorite, who had one last copy he was going to donate to a library. We don't even know how he got my father's address. The book arrived at my father's house the day after the anniversary of the crash. Even though we've all cried a little (my father the most) about a man killed long ago in far off place in the middle of war where millions died, I believe that this has been one of the most significant events that has occured in my life. My father has been able to rekindle his memory and understand that even though his brother died, he died a hero, which was how my father always thought of him. I have been able to understand a little more about my uncle and about my father. My daughter and my nephews will carry the memory of their great-uncle. And Vinnie's memory will carry on one more generation...Sincerely, John Anthony"


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