VPNAVY Operation Poppy by Captain Edward M. Brittingham
http://www.vpnavy.org
VPNAVY Address

Books CASU MiscellaneousBooks

BooksBOOKs: "...Mechanic on the Wing: The Untold Story of Carrier Aircraft Service Unit Eleven (CASU-11) 1943 - 1946 by by William H Little..." I am the son of Aviation Machinist Mate Robert H. Little. He served with CASU-11 from January 1943 through August 1944 on Guadalcanal. This occurred before he met and married my Mother, and like many WWII vets he rarely talked about the war..." Contributed by CDR William H. Little, Retired william.h.little@gmail.com [15NOV2020]

Book


During World War II, sixty nine United States Navy Carrier Aircraft Service Units (CASUs) were formed and deployed to support naval aircraft operations. Faced with a lack of aircraft carriers early in the war and no organizational means to support quickly constructed airfields on islands in the Western Pacific, the CASUs were a wartime necessity.

CASU-11 was established on Friday, 22 January 1943 Naval Air Station San Diego and decommissioned on Friday, 1 November 1946 at Naval Air Facility Yonabaru Okinawa. This was a total of 1,379 days, or three years, nine months, and ten days of service. During that time CASU-11 traveled approximately 27,000 miles and more than 1,700 men passed through its ranks. Finally, it must be noted that CASU-11 bookends World War II in the Pacific. They were present on Guadalcanal, the first island reclaimed from Japanese occupation, and they were present on Okinawa, the last island taken before the war ended.

This 371 page book focuses primarily on CASU-11. However, extensive background information is provided on the CASU concept, history and organization. It took four and a half years of research, writing and rewriting to produce this book as very little has ever been written about the CASU's. In fact, this book would not have been accomplished without significant help from the children and relatives of CASU-11 members.
    - A daily diary for CASU-11's Guadalcanal period made available by a Chief Metalsmith's daughter,

    - A two day interview set up and hosted by the daughter of a 91 year old CASU-11 survivor, a Chief Engineman, resulting in a 45 page transcript,

    - Numerous pictures and stories contributed by several others with CASU-11 connections. This included a few stories from my father, an Aviation Machinist Mate, assigned during the Guadalcanal assignment.
This book is available at Amazon Books Mechanic on the Wing: The Untold Story of Carrier Aircraft Service Unit Eleven (CASU-11) 1943 - 1946. I hope you enjoy reading this book as much as I enjoyed writing it.

Sincerely,

William H. Little
Commander US Navy (Retired)
william.h.little@gmail.com

BooksBOOKs: Quonset Point Naval Air Station "Gem of the Atlantic" and Quonset Point Naval Air Station "Volume II - VJ Day to Vietnam" by Sean Paul Milligan jetsareforkids@verizon.net WebSite: http://www.angelfire.com/fl/jetsr4kids/ [Updated 30NOV2004 | 20NOV99 | 06MAR99]

VPNAVY BookTitle: Quonset Point Naval Air Station: Gem of the Atlantic
VPNAVY BookTitle: Quonset Point Naval Air Station, Volume II

Squadrons, NAS, etc. mentioned: VP-6(CG), VP-7, VP-8, VP-11, VP-21, VP-24, VP-49, VP-52, VP-82, VB-125, VB-126, VS-22, VS-24, VS-27, VS-30, VS-31, VS-32, VS-34, VS-39, VS-42, VS-913, CASU-22, FASRON-101, FASRON-103, NADU, VJ-2, VJ-4, VJ-15, VU-2, VU-4, VU-5, VX-1, VX-3, VX-4, VC-2, VC-4, VC-12, VC-31, VC-33, VT-1, VT-8, VAW-12, VAW-33, VR-22, FAW-3, FAW-5, FAW-7, and FAW-9.

The works of Aviation Historian Sean Paul Milligan

SGT USMC RET

Sean Paul Milligan is a well-known military historian and speaker whose articles have appeared in the Providence Journal, Naval Aviation News, The Hook, Wings of Gold, and Leatherneck. His career in aviation began at age 14 when he flew as a Cadet in the Civil Air patrol. A former Marine, Milligan has made a lifelong study of Naval Aviation and is the historian for the Quonset Air museum. Mr. Milligan is currently producing a PBS documentary on NAS Quonset Point, RI.

Praise for books by Sean Paul Milligan

A few years ago, a friend of mine was asking for photographs for a book on NAS Quonset Point. That book is now available from the author and it is a real gem. The 128 page, 6 1/2" x 9 1/4" book is just full of photographs detailing the history of the Naval Air Station at Quonset Point. First built in 1941, the air station was homebase for many of the seaplane squadrons that fought the battle of the Atlantic. It was also homeport for several carrier airwings that embarked upon the many 'jeep' carriers who were tasked with convoy protection. The book then goes on to discuss the many classified projects undertaken during the war including Quonset's major involvement in developing a Naval night fighter.

Postwar saw the drawdown of units and ships, but Quonset was set to enter the jet age and there are several good photographs of early jets. Quonset Point was renowned for the Naval Air Rework Facility there and its specialization in reciprocating engines. There are numerous photographs of F4U Corsairs, A-1 Skyraiders, and other prop aircraft that went through the station. It was this specialization in prop aircraft that spelled the final demise of Quonset Point. When the services finally phased out the round-motored aircraft, there was no more need for the rework facility. Quonset Point finally closed in 1974; chopped by Richard Nixon as part of the drawdown after Vietnam.

Sean Milligan's book is page after page of quality black and white photographs. Other than photo captions and the introduction, there is very little verbiage. It is the over 200 superb photographs that make the book. Want photos of J2F Ducks for your next kit? How about Hellcat nightfighters, EA-1 Skyraiders, S-2A's, TBM-3Ws, AF-2's, and the rare TBY Seawolf. They are all here and more. How about a good photo of a 1950 Chevrolet pickup as used by base security complete with fender mounted siren? A little esoteric, but this is the strength of this book.

Highly recommended for USN enthusiasts everywhere. The letter that came with the book mentions another on threat, adversary, target and utility squadrons. I hope it is either available or in work. Buy this book!

    "...A little gem..." Journal - American Aviation Historical Society

    "...Excellent..." William T. Larkins, Founder - Author of U. S. Navy Aircraft 1921-1941

    "..Nifty, well-researched..." Wings of Gold

    "...Pictures are outstanding...informative captions...A good book to have around..." Captain Dick Knott, USN (RET)

    "...The Quonset book is excellent..." R. C. Sturtivant - I.S.O. - Author of The Squadrons Of The Fleet Air Arm

    "...This book belongs in your library..." Naval Aviation News - Commander Peter Mersky, USNR (Retired)

    "...Super...great photos and captions..." The Glenn L. Martin Aviation Museum - Stan Piet, Executive Director

    "...Extensive and detailed...an extraordinary archive..." Air Classics

    "...Gem of a book...highly recommended..." The Hook

    "...Jam packed...with rare and historical photographs..." Gosport - Chief Art Giberson, USN (Retired)

    "...A nostalgic look at Naval Aviation..." United States Naval Institute - Proceedings Commander J. Cutler, USN (Retired)

    "...Surprises...lively...chronicles 'hallowed ground' of Quonset Point..." The Providence Journal-Bulletin - Gerry Goldstein

    "...Quonset Point Naval Air Station is for you..." Atlantic Flyer

    "...An awesome tribute...I recommend it strongly to anyone even remotely associated with U. S carrier based warfare..." Military - Major Dominic J Caraccilo.
BOTH BOOKS ARE $18.99 each plus $3.01 each for mailing (Total: $22.00)

Please make checks payable to
JETS ARE FOR KIDS
PO BOX 3214
PAWTUCKET RI 02861

Voice: (401)722-5821
E-Mail: jetsareforkids@verizon.net

Author will sign and write sentiments as requested.

BooksBOOKs: "...Carrier Aircraft Service Unit 16 On the Beam: The Story of One Carrier Aircraft Service Unit. Cover: On the Beam With CASU Sixteen. Anon. N.p., [1946?]. 52 pp., gray softcover with black printing and logo, 28.4 x 22.9 cm, photos, ports., map, roster. NDL..." http://www.history.navy.mil/biblio/biblio2/biblio2j.htm [14JUN2004]


BooksBOOKs: "...Carrier Aircraft Service Unit 54 A History of CASU 54. Anon. N.p., [1945?]. 14 leaves, 15 x 23 cm, brown hardcover with gold printing, 20.6 x 27.3 cm, photos, ports. Dornbusch 1950: 1057. NYPL..." http://www.history.navy.mil/biblio/biblio2/biblio2j.htm [14JUN2004]


BooksBOOKs: "...Carrier Aircraft Service Unit 54 A History of CASU 54 (cover). Anon. N.p., [1946?]. 12 leaves, white paper cover with brown printing of title, logo, and carrier, 15.3 x 22.9 cm, photos, ports. NDL..." http://www.history.navy.mil/biblio/biblio2/biblio2j.htm [14JUN2004]


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