 VP-119 History
Circa 1949
A BIT OF HISTORY:  "...VPB-119 - Page 26 and 27 - Naval Aviation News - June 1949..." WebSite: http://www.history.navy.mil/nan/backissues/1940s/1949/jun49.pdf [13JUL2004]
Circa 1946
A BIT OF HISTORY:   VPB-119 Crews "...The attached photo is a VPB-119 group photo that was taken after war's end. These men are crews which, over time, replaced the original 19 'plank owner' crews and continued the squadron up until its redesignation in late 1946. These would be crews #20 thru #44. After the Japanese surrender, VPB-119 continued operations out of Clark Field, Luzon until the end of October, 1945 when they transferred to Puerto Princessa, Palawan Island. Their stay on Palawan was breif and by 16 December, 1945 they had relocated again to Guiuan Airstrip, Samar Island. In June, 1946 the VPB-119 moved to NS Sangley Point, Philippines and by November, 1946 they had been redesignated as VP-HL-9..." Contributed by Dave Deatherage (Son of Paul Deatherage - VPB-119 Crew 4) satx_dave@flash.net [19OCT2007]
Circa 1945
A BIT OF HISTORY:  VPB-119 Short Snorter Bill "...Last fall I exchanged emails with Mr. Ken Shute, who served with my dad in squadron VPB-119 at Clark Field, Luzon in 1945. I asked him if he remembered my dad and he said he didn't but, after reviewing his war scrap book, he found a short snorter bill, signed by most members of his crew (crew #21) and others, including my dad, Paul E. Deatherage. Mr. Shute said he didn't recall knowing dad but obviously, there was some interaction there. Dad's rating was Aviation Radio Technician (ART) and flew with various crews of the squadron as a radar countermeasures technician; he apparently flew with Shute and crew #21 at some time. The attached copy of the short snorter image shows 17 signatures; 16 of the names are found in the VPB-119..." Contributed by Dave Deatherage (Son of Paul Deatherage - VPB-119 Crew 4) satx_dave@flash.net [07MAR2011]
A BIT OF HISTORY:  VPB-119 Squadron "...Photograph was sent to me by Mr. Mario Bonaparte who served as a member of crew #21, VPB-119 during their deployment at Clark Field, Luzon Philippines in 1945. The photo shows PB4Y-2, bureau number 59423 being prepped for a mission out of Clark on June 16, 1943. The crewman running toward the plane is bombardier William L, Phillipps of crew #21. 59423 was assigned to VPB-119 at NAAS Camp Kearny, California on 10 Nov 1944, deployed with the squadron, and survived the war. The plane was eventually returned stateside to NAS Corpus Christi, Texas where it was declared excess and struck off charge on 30 June 1946..." Contributed by Dave Deatherage (Son of Paul Deatherage - VPB-119 Crew 4) satx_dave@flash.net [12DEC2010]
A BIT OF HISTORY:  VPB-119 Squadron "...The attached is another photo of PB4Y-2, Buno 59423 'Snuffy's Snipers' at Sanya Aerodrome at War's end. BuNo 59423 was on of the original Privateers issued to VPB-119 on November 12, 1944. The plane was the primary aircraft of Bill 'Snuffy' Schedler and Crew #14 until they were releived on 3 August 1945. 59423 survived the war and was eventually returned Stateside, ending up at NAS Corpus Christi, Texas. The plane was declared excess and struck off charge from Naval custody on 30 June 1946..." Contributed by Dave Deatherage (Son of Paul Deatherage - VPB-119 Crew 4) satx_dave@flash.net [21OCT2008]
A BIT OF HISTORY:  VPB-119 Squadron "...The attached image was scanned from the WWII photo album of Capt. William Vierregger. Capt. Vierregger was an Ensign co-pilot in squadron VPB-119 in 1945 and flew combat missions out of Clark Field, P.I. The plane, a PB4Y-2 'Privateer', BuNo 59423, was named "Snuffy's Snipers" in reference to Lt.(jg) Bill 'Snuffy' Schedler who had been the plane's primary PPC just prior to the end of the War. This photo shows 59423 on the hanger apron at Sanya Aerodrome, Hainan, China on 15 September 1945; it was the first US naval aircraft to land at Sanya after the Japanese surrender (notice the armed Japanese guard standing on the left side of the photo). Some of the people standing in front of the plane are newly released Allied POWs who were being transported back to their home countries..." Contributed by Dave Deatherage (Son of Paul Deatherage - VPB-119 Crew 4) satx_dave@flash.net [21OCT2008]
A BIT OF HISTORY:  VPB-119 History "...Navy PB4Y-2 Patrol Bombers of VPB-119 in formation while deploying to the Philippines in February, 1945..." WebSite: FLICKR http://flickr.com/ [14JUL2008]
A BIT OF HISTORY:  VPB-119 Squadron "...U. S. Navy Patrol Bombing Squadron VPB-119 - Clark Air Field, Luzon, Philippines - May 1945 - As you can see, they were still living in tents at the time; the seabees (CBMU 606) had just started laying out sites for quonset huts when this photo was taken. You can just barely make out the silhouette of Mt. Arayat in the right background. Ararat is an extinct volcano about 10 miles east of the base and is seen in many of the photos taken at Clark..." Contributed by Dave Deatherage (Son of Paul Deatherage - VPB-119 Crew 4) satx_dave@flash.net [06SEP2007]
A BIT OF HISTORY:  Lloyd A. Whitten "...Lloyd A. Whitten, S1c, of Bridgeport, Texas..." Contributed by Dave Deatherage (Son of Paul Deatherage - VPB-119 Crew 4) satx_dave@flash.net [21JAN2007]
My dad is Paul E. Deatherage; he served with VPB-119, crew #4, during WWII. The squadron flew offensive search patrol missions out of Clark Field, Luzon from February, 1945 until the end of the War.
One of the young men my dad served with was Lloyd A. Whitten, S 1c, of Bridgeport, Texas. Whitten is the only KIA member of the squadron who was recovered from an aircraft that returned to base (all others were either MIA at the end of the war or had died in shootdowns over enemy territory).
Lloyd A. Whitten was the tail gunner of crew #7, commanded by Lt. T.R. Alkire. According to the squadron war diariy entry of MAy 7, 1945, Whitten was killed by a "single 12.7 bullet that hit the tail turret" while his crew was engaged in straffing attacks of enemy targets on Hainan Island, China. When the plane returned from the mission, his body was removed and buried at the USAF cemetery near Manila.
Eventually, he was reinterred in Plot N - Row 11 - Grave 47 of the Manila American Cemetery on Luzon, Philippines. An American ex-patriate named Dave Dwiggins went to the cemetery recently and took some pictures of Whitten's grave. I thought I'd submit these of posting.
The following is the text of Dwiggins email that accompanied the photos :
==================================================
Date: Fri, 19 Jan 2007 06:49:39 -0800 (PST)
From: Dave Dwiggins
Subject: Re: Lloyd A. Whitten, Seaman 1st Class - in Manila American Cemetery
To: Dave Deatherage
Sorry it has taken so long to send the photos of the grave of Lloyd Whitten.
Life has been tough here with some horrible typhoons and going to Manila was the greatest priority.
Today we managed to go to the memorial and it was a beautiful day. We strggle often at the memorial because some locations we always have to face directly into the sun to take photos. Fortunately we were able to get a few photos and hope they are helpful to you.
God Bless the family of Lloyd A Whitten.
Sincerely,
Dave and Apple
A BIT OF HISTORY: "...VPB-119 (February to August 1945) Commanding officers: Commander Raymond C. Bales (January to March 1945); Lt. Commander M.S. Ragan (March to August 1945). Assigned to FAW-17. Based at Clark Field. Commander Bales was killed in action on 1 April 1945. Many members were veterans of VB-106 and were killed in action while serving with 119..." WebSite: U.S. Navy Pacific-Based PB4Y Squadrons in World War II http://www.alanc.carey.freeservers.com/photo3.html [26NOV2005]
A BIT OF HISTORY: "...02MAR45 - PB4Y-2s (VPB-119) attacks Japanese convoy, sinking transport/ferry Nichirin Maru in East China Sea about 180 miles east by south of Wenchow, China, 27°12'N, 124°42'E..." HyperWar http://www.ibiblio.org/hyperwar/USN/USN-Chron/USN-Chron-1945.html [11SEP2005]
A BIT OF HISTORY:  VPB-119 Crew 20 "...This scan was produced from a photo provided me by Mr. Mel McIntosh (VPB-119, crew 12). It shows art work and the title, "Holt's Patches" on the starboard side of BuNo 59413. 59413 plane was the primary plane of Lt. John W. Holt and crew #4 of VPB-119. For some reason Holt and crew #4 were not flying 59413 when they went on a mission over Hainan on 1 May 1945 and failed to return. 59413 was still active with the squadron on VJ Day, Sept. 3, 1945..." Contributed by Dave Deatherage (Son of Paul Deatherage - VPB-119 Crew 4) satx_dave@flash.net [04AUG2005]
A BIT OF HISTORY:  VPB-119 BUNO History "...VPB-119 Aircraft and BUNOs, Aug., 1944 - Sept., 1945..." Contributed by Dave Deatherage satx_dave@flash.net [31MAR2005]
I've read through the War Diaries and Historical files of VPB-119 from the date of it's commissioning (15 August 1944) thru VJ Day (3 September 1945) and recorded the movements, gains, and losses of the various aircraft the unit used (in training, deployment, and combat) during this period.
From August thru October, 1944 the aircraft gained by the unit were used for training at NAAS Camp Kearny, California; these planes were left behind for the next training unit to use and VPB-119 was issued 15 new PB4Y-2 aircraft for their initial deployment to MCAS/NAS Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii in December, 1944.
While in Hawaii, the unit performed further training and engaged in a short anti-submarine deployment to NAS Midway Island up through mid January, 1945. During this time, one plane (BUNO 59418) was damaged when 50 caliber ammunition "cooked off" during sleeve gunnery practice and was replaced by a new PB4Y-2, BUNO 59429.
From 7 February thru 1 March the unit deployed to Clark Field, Luzon, P.I. via island hopping through Johnston Is., Kwajalien, Guam, Tacloban (Leyte), Owi Is., and Mokerang Field (Los Negros Is.). An excerpt from the unit's Command History file states:
"Then on 1 March, while tanks were still tumbling along the road to Fort Stotsenbourg where just beyond in the Zambales Hills the Infantry could be obvserved fighting day and night, Patrol Bombing Squadron One Hundred Nineteen was the first sqaudron to land heavy bombers on Clark Field and likewise became the first to operate the new 'Privateer' in the Philippines."
VPB-119 commenced combat operations on 2 March 1945. Through the end of the war, the unit lost and replaced 13 PB4Y-2 aircraft; the stats from the Command History file state:
AIRCRAFT LOSSES
Total aircraft losses were 13 PB4Y-2 planes as follows:
(1) Enemy Action: 3 Planes3 by Anti-Aircraft fire 0 by enemy fighters
(2) Patrol Losses: 4 Planes4 Planes failed to return from patrol, cause unknown
(3) Operational Losses: 6 Planes2 Lost by fire while in parking area. 1 Lost when hit by another plane landing long.
1 Lost on emergency landing; engine trouble.
1 Lost from damage sustained by own guns cooking off (Kaneohe)
1 Lost as a result of crash in enemy controlled territory during rescue operations, cause unknown.
PERSONNEL CASUALTIESMissing 51
Killed 25
Total Killed and Missing 76
Wounded 18
A BIT OF HISTORY: "...LCDR Occo Gibbs 1943 to 1945..." [06MAR2005]
A BIT OF HISTORY:  VPB-119 Distinguished Flying Cross "...Seaman First Class - Robert Cordyn McCormack - United States Navy - Pacific - 1945. Awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for heroism and extraordinary achievement in aerial flight as an Aircrewman of a Patrol Bomber in Patrol Bombing Squadron ONE HUNDRED NINETEEN during the operations against enemy Japanese forces in the Pacific War Area from March 3 to May 11, 1945. Completing his twentieth mission during that period, McCormack rendered valuable assistance to his pilot and contributed materially to the success of his plane. His courage and devotion to duty in the face of grave hazards were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service..." VFW Post 764 http://www.vfw764.org/wallofvalor.htm [23APR2004]
A BIT OF HISTORY:  VPB-119 PB4Y BUNO: W616 "...The PB4Y2 line was on Palawan in late '45..." Contributed by Al Morgan almorgan@hal-pc.org [26AUG99]
A BIT OF HISTORY:  VPB-119 PB4Y-2 BUNO: R546 "...Clark Field in 1945. Note the later-model blister-like Erco nose turret. Wallace Parmer is leaning against the nose..." Contributed by Frank Houle fhoule@bellsouth.net via William H. Woodruff whw00dy@att.net [15JAN2001]
A BIT OF HISTORY:  VPB-119 PB4Y-2 BUNO: W415 "...Clark Field PI in 1945 - note that this is an early "4Y2" with the Consolidated nose turret similar to the "4Y1" and the B-24..." Contributed by Frank Houle fhoule@bellsouth.net via William H. Woodruff whw00dy@att.net [15JAN2001]
A BIT OF HISTORY:  VPB-119 PB4Y-2 BUNO: Unknown "..."Nose Art", Clark Field PI 1945..." Contributed by Frank Houle fhoule@bellsouth.net via William H. Woodruff whw00dy@att.net [15JAN2001]
A BIT OF HISTORY: "...My Dad, ARM2 J. H. Etheredge, III, served with VPB-119 during World War II. He has several scrap books, a logbook of his 50 patrols, numerous pictures and other info. regarding this squadron's service during WWII..." Contributed by James D. Etheredge theetheredges@juno.com [06DEC2002]
VPB-119 Picture of LT Leonard J. Reichert
Standing in front of PB4Y2 BUNO No. 59418
Regarding the plane:
While on a gunnery hop, firing at a sleeve towed by a F.M., a round cooked off in the starboard waist blister turret. Went through the trailing edge of wing, cut both aileron control cables, through tire, hub, brakes, a couple of wing spars and out the leading edge of wing. It all happened so fast everyone was dumbfounded for a second but it didn't take any longer to size up the situation. At the time I was in the aft deck turret and saw the aileron flapping up and down, which caused the wing and whole plane to shake like a ruptured duck. In approximately twenty seconds we had the ditching platform out and everyone was ready to ditch. The whole thing lasted about fifteen minutes but when the flaps were let down the shaking stopped.
Mr. Reichert made a perfect landing although he didn't know about the flat tire. While rolling down runway thought the plane was coming apart because bolts were falling and we were thrown all over the place. When the plane finally stopped it was only a matter of seconds before everyone was out. However nothing else happened. Sure was glad to get my feet on terra firma. Mr. Reichert said that was the worse emergency he's ever had and he's had twenty-one months combat duty. Just hope that's my worst one for same length of time.
Certainly would like to see pilot of F.M. and maybe buy him a drink. He took care of all radio communications (pilots had their hands full) and got the field cleared for us.
As a result of this little trouble 59418 (W418) was surveyed and we now have 59429 (W429). Suppose to leave Friday but doubt if we'll make it.
(Taken from unpublished logbook of J.H. Etheredge, III (ARM 2/c) concerning Squadron VPB - 119, Crew 9 entry dated February 2, 1945).
A BIT OF HISTORY:  VPB-119 Shipmate Roster - 16AUG45 1 of 2 "...My Dad, ARM2 J. H. Etheredge, III, served with VPB-119 during World War II. He has several scrap books, a logbook of his 50 patrols, numerous pictures and other info. regarding this squadron's service during WWII..." Contributed by James D. Etheredge theetheredges@juno.com [06DEC2002]
A BIT OF HISTORY:  VPB-119 Shipmate Roster - 16AUG45 2 of 2 "...My Dad, ARM2 J. H. Etheredge, III, served with VPB-119 during World War II. He has several scrap books, a logbook of his 50 patrols, numerous pictures and other info. regarding this squadron's service during WWII..." Contributed by James D. Etheredge theetheredges@juno.com [06DEC2002]
A BIT OF HISTORY:  VPB-119 Summary of Operations - 16AUG45 1 of 4 "...My Dad, ARM2 J. H. Etheredge, III, served with VPB-119 during World War II. He has several scrap books, a logbook of his 50 patrols, numerous pictures and other info. regarding this squadron's service during WWII..." Contributed by James D. Etheredge theetheredges@juno.com [06DEC2002]
A BIT OF HISTORY:  VPB-119 Summary of Operations - 16AUG45 2 of 4 "...My Dad, ARM2 J. H. Etheredge, III, served with VPB-119 during World War II. He has several scrap books, a logbook of his 50 patrols, numerous pictures and other info. regarding this squadron's service during WWII..." Contributed by James D. Etheredge theetheredges@juno.com [06DEC2002]
A BIT OF HISTORY:  VPB-119 Summary of Operations - 16AUG45 3 of 4 "...My Dad, ARM2 J. H. Etheredge, III, served with VPB-119 during World War II. He has several scrap books, a logbook of his 50 patrols, numerous pictures and other info. regarding this squadron's service during WWII..." Contributed by James D. Etheredge theetheredges@juno.com [06DEC2002]
A BIT OF HISTORY:  VPB-119 Summary of Operations - 16AUG45 4 of 4 "...My Dad, ARM2 J. H. Etheredge, III, served with VPB-119 during World War II. He has several scrap books, a logbook of his 50 patrols, numerous pictures and other info. regarding this squadron's service during WWII..." Contributed by James D. Etheredge theetheredges@juno.com [06DEC2002]
A BIT OF HISTORY: "...Air-to-Air Shoot Downs by Navy and Marine Corps Patrol Type Aircraft During World War II - This Squadron Mentioned...Naval Historical Center ADOBE Download File: http://www.history.navy.mil/avh-vol2/Appen4.pdf [12FEB2004]
 Air-To-Air Shootdowns 118KB
Circa 1944 - 1949
A BIT OF HISTORY:  PB4Y-2 Squadron Assignments "...PB4Y-2 Squadron Assignments 1944 - 1949 by W. T. Larkins 5-11-1984. A review of the aircraft history cards for the 740 aircraft 59350-60009 and 66245-66324 allows the following squadrons with one or more aircraft. Unfortunately the original assignment on many in 1944 is simply "PAC" for Pacific area. No card was found to verify VB-200 as the first squadron delivery or any Marine Corps squadrons. Squadrons listed include VP-12, VP-21, VP-22, VP-23, VP-25, VP-26, VP-27, VP-28, VP-29, VPB-100, VPB-101, VPB-10, VPB-102, VPB-104, VPB-106, VPB-107, VPB-108, VPB-109, VPB-111, VPB-114, VPB-115, VPB-116, VPB-117, VPB-118, VPB-119, VPB-120, VPB-121, VPB-122, VPB-123, VPB-124, VPB-143, VPB-197, VPB-200, VP-HL-1, VP-HL-2, VP-HL-4, VP-HL-6, VP-HL-7, VP-HL-8, VP-HL-9, VP-HL-10, VP-HL-11, VP-HL-12, VP-HL-13, VPM-1, VPW-1, VPW-2, VPW-3, VX-1 and VX-2..." Contributed by Bill Larkins wtl@earthlink.net [01AUG2010]
Circa 1944 - 1945
A BIT OF HISTORY: "...Summary of Operations, Patrol Bombing Squadron ONE HUNDRED NINETEEN - 16AUG1945..." [25DEC2005]
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]
A BIT OF HISTORY: VPB-119 BUNO History "...VPB-119 Aircraft and BUNOs, Aug., 1944 - Sept., 1945..." Contributed by Dave Deatherage satx_dave@flash.net [31MAR2005]
I've read through the War Diaries and Historical files of VPB-119 from the date of it's commissioning (15 August 1944) thru VJ Day (3 September 1945) and recorded the movements, gains, and losses of the various aircraft the unit used (in training, deployment, and combat) during this period.
From August thru October, 1944 the aircraft gained by the unit were used for training at NAAS Camp Kearny, California; these planes were left behind for the next training unit to use and VPB-119 was issued 15 new PB4Y-2 aircraft for their initial deployment to MCAS/NAS Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii in December, 1944.
While in Hawaii, the unit performed further training and engaged in a short anti-submarine deployment to NAS Midway Island up through mid January, 1945. During this time, one plane (BUNO 59418) was damaged when 50 caliber ammunition "cooked off" during sleeve gunnery practice and was replaced by a new PB4Y-2, BUNO 59429.
From 7 February thru 1 March the unit deployed to Clark Field, Luzon, P.I. via island hopping through Johnston Is., Kwajalien, Guam, Tacloban (Leyte), Owi Is., and Mokerang Field (Los Negros Is.). An excerpt from the unit's Command History file states:
"Then on 1 March, while tanks were still tumbling along the road to Fort Stotsenbourg where just beyond in the Zambales Hills the Infantry could be obvserved fighting day and night, Patrol Bombing Squadron One Hundred Nineteen was the first sqaudron to land heavy bombers on Clark Field and likewise became the first to operate the new 'Privateer' in the Philippines."
VPB-119 commenced combat operations on 2 March 1945. Through the end of the war, the unit lost and replaced 13 PB4Y-2 aircraft; the stats from the Command History file state:
AIRCRAFT LOSSES
Total aircraft losses were 13 PB4Y-2 planes as follows:
(1) Enemy Action: 3 Planes3 by Anti-Aircraft fire 0 by enemy fighters
(2) Patrol Losses: 4 Planes4 Planes failed to return from patrol, cause unknown
(3) Operational Losses: 6 Planes2 Lost by fire while in parking area. 1 Lost when hit by another plane landing long.
1 Lost on emergency landing; engine trouble.
1 Lost from damage sustained by own guns cooking off (Kaneohe)
1 Lost as a result of crash in enemy controlled territory during rescue operations, cause unknown.
PERSONNEL CASUALTIESMissing 51
Killed 25
Total Killed and Missing 76
Wounded 18
A BIT OF HISTORY: "...00XXX44--The Privateer entered Navy service during the late summer of 1944. VPB-118 and VPB-119 were the first Fleet squadrons to equip with the Privateer. The first overseas deployment began on January 6, 1945, when VPB-118 left for operations in the Marianas. By the end of the war, thirteen Navy squadrons were equipped with Privateers, and a further five squadrons had a combination of Privateers and Liberators flying with them. " http://www.csd.uwo.ca:80/~pettypi/elevon/baugher_us/b024-37.html
A BIT OF HISTORY:  "...Circa 1944-45...LCDR Raymond C. Bales, Commanding Officer..." Contributed by Curt Brownlow brownlow@horizoncable.com [07MAY99]
A BIT OF HISTORY:  "...Circa 1944-45...LCDR H. D. Allen, Executive Officer..." Contributed by Curt Brownlow brownlow@horizoncable.com [09MAY99]
A BIT OF HISTORY:  "...Circa 1944-45...LCDR Willard P. Comstock, Executive Officer..." Contributed by Curt Brownlow brownlow@horizoncable.com [09MAY99]
"VP-119 History Summary Page"
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