VP-200 Notice
NOTICE: "...Looking for information, vets, of VPB-133 in WWII. My Uncle, Richard Gross, was in the unit around 1943. My information is a slight, so don't have much more to add. Thanks. Carl Theaker jdhouck@sbcglobal.net..." [19JUN2007]
 "...The following information was obtained from the Muster records of VPB-133..." [05JUL2007]
Richard Stephen Gross, AOM3c, was transferred to VPB-133 from VPB-200 on April 2, 1945. At the time VPB-133 was stationed at Tinian Island, Marianas Islands. The squadron also had detachments operating out of Iwo Jima.
VPB-200 was a squadron stationed at the NAS Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii. that prepared personnel for duty with squadrons needing replacements. Gross was probably trained in the operation of the twin gun, rotating turret mounted on the top of the PV-1 Vega Ventura at NAS Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii.
The July 1, 1945 shows Gross AOM3c as a member of the squadron. The October 1, 1945 muster Roll shows Gross now rated as AOM2c. I could not find any record showing the date of his advancement to second class petty officer. Gross does not appear on the January 1, 1946 Muster Roll. I could not find any record of his transfer out of VPB-133. The squadron was disestablished on June 17, 1946.
I searched the available records of VPB-200 and did not find any mention of Richard Gross.
The AOM (Aviation OrdananceMan) rating designates personnel schooled in the operation and maintenance of aircraft gunnery. The AOM3c would be the normal rating for personnel successfully completing the schooling.
NOTICE: "...My father, AO1 Walter (Bud) Polen Jr., died in a VP-26 NAS Brunswick, Maine Mishap (April 14th, 1952). According to my Dad's Flight Log - he also served with VB-4 NAS Masters Field, Miami, Florida, VPB-197 NAAS Camp Kearny, California, VPB-200 MCAS/NAS Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii and VPB-111 Palawan Is. P.I. I am hoping to find the man that was also aboard and survived E.G. Buck (Edward Guy Buck). I was a little girl when this happened and I so badly want to hear from anyone who knew my father. I am also looking for a man named Jack. He brought home my father's remains home to Alden, NY, near Buffalo, NY. He took us to Niagara Falls before he went home. I remember him so fondly. I would love to find him or find someone who knows who he is. Please contact me. Thank you, Cindy Polen Novick ourprince@verizon.net..." [Updated 24JUN2006 | 09MAR2006]
I'm searching for Bob and Kay Lindberg. They were close friends of my parents (Bud and Eileen Polen) back in the 40's and 50's, when they were in the Navy. Bob & Kay were originally from Duluth, MN, probably born in the 20's. He was a radio man 1st class in the 50's. In 1960 - they were stationed in CA. They had 2 daughters - Kathy & Susan, I would love to find them or anyone who knows about them. My father, Walter Polen Jr. (Bud) was killed in Brunswick ME. in 1952. Any help appreciated....Cindy Polen Novick ourprince@verizon.net..." [26SEP2006]
  Walter (Bud) Polen Jr. "...Here are two photos of my dad. I am not sure how well the one in his uniform will show up. The other one is better and is the last photo taken of my father before he died.....Christmas 1951....Cindy Polen Novick ourprince@verizon.net..." [28AUG2006]
"...I received a phone call from the son of the man who survived the crash that took my father's life. Thank you very much...Cindy Polen Novick ourprince@verizon.net...Cindy Polen Novick ourprince@verizon.net..." [08JUL2006]
NOTICE: "...I would like to get in touch with crew of Liberator E/220 of VPB Squadron 200 stationed at NAF Lajes, Azores, Portugal in April 1945. I have interesting news for this crew who on 18 April 1945 searchlit the hospital ship Chateau Thierry from 150 feet and missed a nearby fully surfaced U-boat whose crew were at a loss to understand why this aircraft failed to attack!! I have a direct connection to this sub and am presently writing her history and more. Any assistance will be greatly appreciated . Kind regards from downunder, Kurt Ulmer peppercorn@trump.net.au Hon. Boat Historian U-805..." [03APR2002]
NOTICE: "...Gentlemen: I represent the Stillwater Airport Memorial Museum of Stillwater, Oklahoma. For your information, our airfield was a storage and disposal site for 82 PB4Y-1's, (approximately a third of the total naval inventory of this particular type of aircraft), immediately after World War Two. Please be informed that for over the past eight years I have been writing a book about all of the 475 combat aircraft that were scrapped at Searcy Field. I am in the final stages of preparation of my book. Unfortunately, I'm lacking information and photographs concerning many of the Navy Liberators that were flown to Stillwater including: BUNO/SQUADRON: 31974 VF-4, 31986 VD-3, VMD-254, 32030 VB-103 VPB-105, 32041 VPB-105, 31991 VB-109, 32106 VD-1 VPB-197, VD-3, 32130 VB-109 VPB-121, 32133 VMD-254, 32152 VB-106 VPB-109, 32154 VB-106 VPB-109, 32156 VB-200 VPB-122, 32158 VD-3, 32232 VMD-254, 32311 VD-1, 32314 VD-1 VPB-122, 38970 VPB-103 VPB-114 VPB-117 , 46735 VPB-104 VPB-143, 65303 VB-112, VB-114, 65311 VPB-113, 65313 VPB-113, 65314 VPB-103 VPB-114, 65384 VPB-113, 65392 VPB-114, 65393 VPB-103 VPB-114, 65394 VPB-103 VPB-114, 90132 VPB-103 VPB-114, 90135 VPB-103 VPB-114, 90467 VPB-114, 90468 VPB-114, 90469 VPB-114, 90474 VPB-103 VPB-114. Any assistance you can give my organization will be greatly appreciated! Thank you. Sincerely, John L. Dienst, Curator (Emeritus), Stillwater Regional Airport Museum, 20365 Lorain Road B-7, Fairview Park, Ohio 44126...John L. Dienst Dienst@hotmail.com..." [Home Address updated 03MAR2004 | 13JAN2000]
NOTICE: "...If anyone would like a crew picture containing some of the men from VPB-200, VP-198, and VP-100. I have possibly the only aircraft art for VPB-200 (it was never allowed to be put on because the birds changed hands so often). Please contact me, this art was drawn by one of my dad's crewmates. If anyone recognizes any of the crewmen, I would like to hear from you. My Dad's name is Lee Pense (radio operator) ARM3c. He flew the PV-1 and PV-2 Ventura. Dad's crew captain was Robert A. Willise...Mike Pense nibor@iso.net" [29JAN98]
NOTICE: "...Looking for help from anyone! My father, Chester A. "Chet" Krokoski, Farrell, PA was an Aviation Radioman 2nd class on a PB4Y2 out of Iwo Jima. I'm looking for any information on how to track this unit down as he doesn't recall many details (anyone know Harvey Dale Hall?). Thanks for any help..." MAJ Chip Krokoski Chipkro@AOL.com[17JAN98]
25JAN98-Joseph A. Palsha richardpalsha@gmail.com notified Chip that he had a crew listing with a Krokoski listed, no first or last name indicated... Chip was also wondering if anyone new a Harvey Dale Hall. Joe found a Harvey D. Hall listed with 116 and in the same crew with the person that could be his father. He attached a photo of the person from that crew that might be his father..."
26JAN98-"...I just opened the photo. Unquestionably that's my Dad. His full name is Chester A. "Chet" Krokoski Sr.; of course there was no "Jr." during the time of the photo.) He currently lives at ... The photo is of Dad's first crew and was taken in California at Camp Kurney (you remember the Kempa-Kepka doing so this may be anywhere.) Dad never got overseas with this crew as he was sent to an advanced radio school prior to the crew deploying; he missed that crew alot. The crew with which he deployed was piloted by Tom Harmon...Always Greatful MAJ Chip Krokoski Chipkro@AOL.com..."
"...Based on the information in your reply above, I did a little more digging. I checked the VPB-200 ( NAS Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii) muster roll and found the following information. Your father, Chester A. Krokoski - service serial number ... - ARM3c USN-1 was transferred to VPB-108 on 8/21/45. Additional enlisted members of his crew were as follows. ANTHONY, Howard R. AOMT3c...CASTELLANO, James P. AMM3c...GEHLRACH, Elmer H., Jr. AMM3c...KILFEATHER, James P. S1c (ARM)...McKINLEY, Edward R. AOM1c...NOURIE, Rolland A. ARM2c...NOVAK, John Jr. ACMM...OLSEN, Donald D. ARM3c...The VPB-200 muster roll does not contain the names of the officers. This information goes along with the fact that your father has more VPB-108 plane photos than from any other squadron. This information, I think, verifies that your father was a member of VPB-108. Sincerely, Joe Palsha richardpalsha@gmail.com..."
"VP-200 Summary Page"
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