HISTORY OF COMPOSITE SQUADRON SIXTY-SIX

[HISTORY OF VC-66]

21 JUNE 1943 – 3 NOVEMBER 1944

(CHRONOLOGY)

Part 1

21 June 1943:                  Commissioned at Naval Air Station (NAS), Seattle, Washington.

                                       Composed of F4F ‘‘Wildcat” fighter pilots and TBF “Avenger” torpedo bomber pilots and aircrewmen commanded by Lieutenant Commander (LCDR) Herbert K. Bragg, USN.  Started squadron training.

23 August 1943:              Detached from NAS Seattle and assigned to Naval Auxiliary Air Station (NAAS), Shelton, Washington for combat team training.

21 September 1943:       Ensign (ENS) Ben Davis killed in aircraft training accident while spotting torpedoes.

31 October 1943:           Detached from NAAS Shelton and assigned to NAAS, Holtville, California for operational training including night flying and skip bombing.

21 November 1943:       Detached from NAAS Holtville and assigned to NAAS Brown Field, Otay Mesa, California for completion of squadron training syllabus.

Early December 1943:   Detached from NAAS Brown Field and assigned to NAS, San Diego, California.

8 December 1943:          Detached from NAS San Diego and embarked aboard USS MANILA BAY (CVE-61), San Diego, California for carrier qualifications.

14 December 1943:        Detached from MANILLA BAY and embarked aboard USS TRIPOLI (CVE-64) for ten day shakedown cruise.

23 December 1943:         ENS E.B. “Deg” Degankolp killed while flying F4F involved in mid-air collision.

24 December 1943:        Detached from TRIPOLI and assigned to NAS San Diego.

Enclosure (2)

29 December 1943:        Detached from NAS San Diego and embarked aboard USS WHITE PLAINS (CVE-66) for transportation to NAS Ford Island, Pearl Harbor, Oahu, Hawaii.

4 January 1944:              Arrived NAS Ford Island.  Detached from WHITE PLAINS and reported aboard USS NASSAU (CVE-16).  VC-66 composed of 31 officers and 38 enlisted men with LCDR Herbert Bragg, USN commanding.  

5 -

7 January 1944:             At sea for training and flight operations aboard NASSAU.  TBF towed sleeve for ship gunnery practice.

7 –

12 January 1944:           In port at NAS Ford Island.

11 January 1944:             Loaded VC-66 aircraft (14 FM-1s, 4 TBM-1s, and 5 TBM-1Cs) aboard NASSAU.

13 –

18 January 1944:            Underway aboard NASSAU for at sea exercise with Task Group 52.9.  Flew air cover for training in amphibious operations at Maui and Koohoolawe, Hawaii ranges combining shore bombardment, amphibious landings, air support, and anti-submarine patrol.

18 –

22 January 1944:            In port at NAS Ford Island.          

23 January 1944:            Underway aboard NASSAU for combat operations in conjunction with Marshall Islands invasion (Operation Flintlock) as part of Majuro Atoll Task Group 51.2  (NASSAU with CAMBRIA (APA-36), PORTLAND (CA-33), NATOMA BAY (CVE-62), BULLARD (DD-660), KIDD (DD-661), BLACK (DD-666), CHAUNCEY (DD-667), KANE (DD-235), CHANDLER (DMS-9), SAGE (AM-111), ORACLE AM-103), and LST 482 with infantry battalion and reconnaissance company).

23 –

30 January 1944:            Provided combat air patrol (CAP) and anti-submarine patrol (ASP) for Task Group en route to Marshall Islands.

30 January 1944:            TBM flown by Lieutenant Junior Grade (LTJG) William A. “Ernie” Bennett waved off while attempting to land, turned to  left, and dived into sea.  In addition to LTJG Bennett, turret gunner AMM2c Edward J. “Ed” Hebert, and radio operator ARM3c Martin T. “Lav” Lavin killed.

31 January 1944:           D-Day for Marshall Islands invasion – including Majuro Atoll. Flew ASP and CAP sorties (17 by TBM - 24 by FM). 

1 –

21 February 1944:         Flew CAP, ASP, photographic reconnaissance, and spotting sorties  for invasion forces.  Flew strike missions as necessary.

1 February 1944:             Flew ASP and CAP sorties (11 by TBM – 12 by FM).

2 February 1944:             Flew ASP and CAP sorties (11 by TBM - 18 by FM).

3 February 1944:             Flew ASP and CAP sorties (10 by TBM - 20 by FM).

4 February 1944:             Flew ASP and CAP sorties (3 by TBM - 8 by FM).

5 February 1944:             No flight operations.  NASSAU at anchor in Majuro lagoon.

6 February 1944:             Flew ASP, CAP, and air support sorties (10 by TBM – 24 by FM).  Strafed Japanese planes, buildings, a boat, and site of anti-aircraft fire.  Expended 10,770 rounds of .50 caliber ammunition.

7 February 1944:             Flew ASP, CAP, and air support sorties (11 by TBM – 20 by FM).  Dropped four 350 pound bombs on Wotje Atoll; seventeen 500 pound bombs on Japanese runways and buildings on Taroa Island; four 1000 pound bombs on Taroa runway; and thirty-two 100 pound bombs on Taroa runways, anti-aircraft positions, and barracks areas.  Strafed buildings serving as source of anti-aircraft fire on Wotje and Taroa.  Strafed radio shack and buildings.  FM hit by anti-aircraft fire and crashed into water.  Pilot rescued by float plane from USS SALT LAKE CITY (CA-25).

8 February 1944:             Flew 13 ASP sorties (all by TBM).

9 February 1944:             Flew ASP and CAP sorties (12 by TBM - 16 by FM).

10 February 1944:         Flew 11 sorties (all by TBM).  Dropped thirteen 325 pound bombs on Taroa and Wotje targets of pilots’ selection – mainly runways.  Spotted for cruiser shore bombardment of Taroa.

0700, ENS Franklin T. “Steve” Stephens’ TBM hit in port wing by anti-aircraft fire while on bombing and photographic reconnaissance mission 1000 feet over Wotje.  Wing on fire and .50 caliber ammunition cooking off.  Stephens able to regain control of plane and complete mission.  Turret gunner AM3c Donald A. “Don” Banks hung out of turret during two hour flight back to carrier holding on to life raft while radio operator ARM3c Thomas D. “Tom” Stoops hung on to Banks’ leg.  They were able to prevent life raft from breaking free and damaging tail of plane.  With no hydraulic fluid, Stephens made difficult no flaps landing on NASSAU. 

11 February 1944:         Flew ASP, CAP, and air support sorties (11 by TBM – 6 by FM).  Spotted for surface ship shore bombardment of Wotje.  Dropped twelve 325 pound bombs on Taroa, and six 325 pound bombs on Wotje – mainly on runways and anti-aircraft positions.

12 February 1944:           Flew ASP and CAP sorties (9 by TBM – 10 by FM).

13 February 1944:           No flight operations.  NASSAU at anchor in Majuro lagoon.

14 February 1944:           Flew 12 ASP sorties (all by TBM).

15 February 1944:          Flew ASP, CAP, and air support sorties (16 by TBM – 12 by FM).  Spotted for cruiser shore bombardment of Wotje.  Dropped twenty-two 500 pound bombs on Wotje runways; fourteen 500 pound bombs on Taroa runways; and twelve 100 pound bombs on Taroa runways, hanger, and apron area.

16 February 1944:           Flew ASP, CAP, and air support sorties (11 by TBM – 15 by FM).  Dropped seven 500 pound bombs on Wotje and Taroa runways; three 1000 pound bombs on Taroa runways; eight 100 pound bombs and eight incendiary clusters on anti-aircraft positions and buildings on Taroa.  Dropped thirteen 100 pound bombs on gun positions, buildings, and ammunition dump on Wotje.  Strafed gun positions and installations on Taroa lagoon – including two boats.  Expended 6,800 rounds of .50 caliber ammunition.

17 February 1944:           Flew 13 ASP sorties (all by TBM).

18 February 1944:           Flew ASP and gunnery practice sorties (13 by TBM – 15 by FM).

19 February 1944:          Flew ASP, CAP, and air support sorties (12 by TBM – 5 by FM).  Strafed ship in Wotje lagoon and large boat on beach at Ollot Island, Maloelap Atoll.  Expended 2850 rounds of .50 caliber ammunition.

20 February 1944:           Flew ASP, CAP, and air support sorties (10 by TBM – 9 by FM).  Spotted for battleship shore bombardment of Taroa.  Strafed gun positions and buildings on Taroa.  Strafed Ethel Island, Maloelap Atoll.  Dropped incendiary clusters on building area on Wotje to start fires.  Dropped seven 100 pound bombs on Wotje gun positions and ammunition dumps.  Expended 4900 rounds of .50 caliber ammunition.

21 February 1944:           Flew 8 sorties (all by FM).  Dropped eight 100 pound bombs on Taroa ammunition dump and eight incendiary clusters on buildings starting five fires.  Expended 6160 rounds of .50 caliber ammunition.

28 January –

21 February 1944:           VC-66 flew 23 days of combat missions supporting invasion of Majuro and Arno atolls; protecting fleet anchorage in Majuro lagoon; attacking and neutralizing Japanese airfields on Wotje Atoll and Taroa Island, Maloelap Atoll in preparation for invasion of Kwajalein and Eniwetok; and conducting long range patrols to Jaluit and Mili spotting enemy installations for bombardment by U.S. surface ships.  VC-66 commended several times for its work.  Flew nearly 1500 combat hours. 

22 February 1944:           No flight operations.  NASSAU at anchor in

                                       Majuro lagoon.

23 February 1944:           Transferred VC-66 operational aircraft (6 TBMs and 10 FMs) from NASSAU to USS NATOMA BAY (CVE-62).  Damaged planes retained aboard NASSAU for return to Pearl Harbor.

24 February 1944:           Anchored as before.  17 Japanese prisoners received aboard NASSAU for transportation to Pearl Harbor.

25 February 1944:           Departed Marshall Islands aboard NASSAU with Task Group 51.18 for return to Hawaii.

3 March 1944:                Arrived Pearl Harbor and moored at NAS Ford Island.  Unloaded damaged aircraft.

5 March 1944:                Disembarked from NASSAU for transfer to Naval Air Facilities (NAF), Barking Sands, Kauai, Hawaii for rest and recreation.

15 March 1944:              Detached from NAF Barking Sands and assigned to NAS Kaneohe Bay, Oahu, Hawaii for Norden bombsight and anti-submarine warfare training.

30 March 1944:               Detached from NAS Kaneohe Bay and embarked aboard USS ALTAMAHA (CVE-18), NAS Ford Island.  Loaded VC-66 aircraft (11 TBM-1Cs, 1 TBF-1, and 14 FM-2s) aboard ALTAMAHA.   Departed Pearl Harbor for emergency anti-submarine Hunter – Killer mission in operating area 300 miles east of Marshall Islands to find and destroy Japanese submarines operating against Pearl Harbor – Marshall Islands supply lines.  ALTAMAHA serving as Flagship of Task Group 11.1 (ALTAMAHA, and destroyer escorts WILEMAN, H.C. THOMAS, ELDEN, and CABANA).

30 March –

2 April 1944:                   En route to assigned operating area.  Conducted carrier refresher landings and gunnery practice.  Expended 2000 rounds of .50 caliber ammunition and 16 Mark (Mk.) 7 rockets.

3 April 1944:                   Arrived operating area and began flying anti-submarine patrols (ASP).  During carrier refresher landing practice, TBF crashed into port side of ALTAMAHA’s bridge.  No casualties to personnel.  Port side wing of bridge smashed in, signal searchlight damaged, various signal halyards and radio antennas cut loose and insulators broken.  TBF damaged beyond repair.

4 April 1944:                   Flew ASP sorties.  1408, TBM pilot LTJG Joseph N. “ Jobbo” Polski reported Japanese submarine on surface 108 miles west of ALTAMAHA.  Submarine first seen by FM pilot ENS Charles T. “Charlie” Edwards flying escort for the TBM.  Polski’s TBM attacked submarine with rockets and depth bombs while Edwards strafed it.  Oil seen leaking from submarine.  Submarine settled straight down with no forward motion.  Large bubble of air seen reaching surface.  Submarine not seen again.  1420, TBM pilot LTJG John L. “Jack” Dwight reported another Japanese submarine cruising on the surface.  FM escort pilot Lieutenant (LT) John P. “J.P.” Fox strafed submarine.  Dwight’s TBM attacked with rockets.  Mk. 47 depth bombs failed to drop when release button pushed.  Submarine submerged leaving large oil slick.  All planes returned to ALTAMAHA safely at 1800 with only few gallons of fuel remaining.  VC-66 credited with sinking one submarine and damaging other.

5 –

9 April 1944:                   Continued patrolling operating area with daily multiple plane submarine search missions flown.  Each search group included one TBM and one FM.

6 April 1944:                   Flew ASP sorties.  TBM while attempting to land, crashed through barriers into bridge due to failure of tailhook to engage arresting gear wires.  Motor, propeller, and right wing of plane damaged.  Pilot suffered general body bruises, mild concussion, possible fractured neck.  Turret gunner suffered mild concussion, and general body bruises.  Radioman suffered general body bruises.         

10 April 1944:                 No flight operations.  ALTAMAHA anchored at Majuro Atoll lagoon, Marshall Islands for refueling of destroyer escorts.

11 April 1944:                 Underway aboard ALTAMAHA returning to anti-submarine operating area.  Flew strafing and depth charge practice runs during the day.  Expended 3000 rounds of .50 caliber. ammunition, 14 Mk. 17 depth bombs, and 26 Mk. 7 rockets.  TBM while landing crashed through barriers and into two other TBMs when tailhook failed to engage arresting gear wires.  All three planes damaged.  No personnel injuries.

12 April 1944:                 Flew multiple plane anti-submarine patrols in assigned operating area east of Marshall Islands.  TBM while landing crashed through both barriers and into two other TBMs due to failure of tailhook to engage arresting gear wires.  All three planes damaged.  No injuries to personnel.    

13 –

18 April 1944:                 Flew ASP sorties.

15 April 1944:               Flew ASP sorties.  1844, while ALTAMAHA zig zagging as required, two definite torpedo wakes and probably four were sighted 4000 yards southwest of ALTAMAHA.  Torpedoes broaching indicating probably fired from extreme range.  Torpedoes passed 400 yards forward of destroyer escort ELDEN’s bow headed toward ALTAMAHA.  ALTAMAHA turned to starboard with full rudder and flank speed to avoid torpedoes and comb their tracks.  1845, two torpedo tracks sighted off port beam at about 200 yards and parallel to ALTAMAHA’s course.  All torpedoes missed.  Radical maneuvering begun to avoid other possible torpedoes.  None seen.  Unsuccessful depth charge attack made on submarine contact.  Japan’s “Tokyo Rose” announced ALTAHAMA sunk.

17 April 1944:                 Flew ASP sorties.  While landing, TBM tailhook gave way when it engaged arresting gear wire.  TBM continued down deck, jumped two barriers and went over ALTAMAHA’s starboard bow into sea.  Plane’s crew:  pilot ENS Richard F. “Dick” Krost, turret gunner AMM3c Vincent T. Ruthman, and radioman ARM3c Charles S. Riffle all rescued uninjured from water by destroyer escort USS CABANA (DE-260).

18 April 1944:                 Departed operating area aboard ALTAMAHA for return to Pearl Harbor.

19 –

21 April 1944:                 En route to Pearl Harbor.  No flight ops.

22 April 1944:                0735, VC-66 operational aircraft (5 TBMs and 13 FMs) launched from ALTAMAHA to fly to NAS Ford Island.  1351, ALTAMAHA moored Pearl Harbor.

25 April 1944:                 Detached from ALTAMAHA.  Ordered to Commander Naval Air Forces Pacific for further assignment.  VC-66 damaged aircraft (4 TBM-Cs and 1 FM-2) unloaded from ALTAMAHA for delivery to NAS Ford Island.

25 April –

5 August 1944:                Rest and recreation, squadron and aircrew training: NAS Ford Island; NAS Barbers Point, Oahu, Hawaii (aerial photography, and gunnery refresher); NAAS Barking Sands, Kauai; and NAS Kahului, Maui (gunnery refresher).

                             (Please See VC-66 Chronological History Part 2)