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Note NOTICE: "...Patrol Squadron Two Association soliciting funds to sponsor the Truculent Turtle at the National Naval Aviation Museum in Pensacola, Florida..." Contributed by Bob Champoux vp2-truculentturtle@comcast.net [10MAY2011]

The Patrol Squadron Two Association soliciting funds to sponsor the Truculent Turtle at the National Naval Aviation Museum in Pensacola, Florida.

Patrol Squadron Two Association
Truculent Turtlebr Sponsorship Committee
PO Box 2894
Gardnerville, NV 89410

May 2, 2011

Dear Shipmate,

I'm writing to ask for your assistance.

The Patrol Squadron Two Association has undertaken the challenge of raising funds to sponsor the most famous patrol aircraft in Naval Aviation History - The Truculent Turtle. In a nutshell, the crew of the Truculent Turtle set a long-standing world record for non-stop, unrefueled flight by flying from Perth, Australia to Columbus, Ohio… a distance of 11,236 miles over a span of 55 hours and 17 minutes. This performance was singularly responsible for establishing the Navy's role for land based maritime patrol after WWII.

This unique aircraft is now in a place of honor at the National Naval Aviation Museum in Pensacola Florida but needs a sponsor to ensure that it will receive the preservation and maintenance that such a famous aircraft deserves.

Thanks to slightly over 60 individuals and some sister organizations, we are a little more than halfway to our goal of raising the $50,000 needed for full sponsorship, but there is still a long way to go. If you haven't already done so, please make a donation (or a pledge) to help preserve this airplane You can also help by passing the word about this project to your other friends in naval aviation.

Send your check (or pledge) made out to the Patrol Squadron Two Association to Doug Donohue at P.O. Box 2894, Gardnerville, NV 89410. For donations by credit card, please go to the website for National Naval Aviation Musuem Donor Page and fill in the information requested. In the drop down "Designation" box click on "Exhibits", and then in the "Comments" box insert "VP-2 Truculent Turtle". After submission, the museum will provide a receipt; please forward a copy to Doug Donohue at nvsoar@charter.net to assure donation tracking and appropriate acknowledgment.

For those not familiar with the Truculent Turtle and its role in shaping and securing the navy's patrol and reconnaissance mission, you are invited to read the full story on our squadron's website at http://www.patron2.com.

Please seriously consider making a gift (or a pledge) to help preserve the "Turtle."

Regards,

Bob Champoux
Chair, Truculent Turtle Sponsorship Committee
425-890-3857

Contributed by Bob Champoux vp2-truculentturtle@comcast.net [10MAY2011]

UPDATE "...We are now 75% towards our goal! Please seriously consider making a gift (or a pledge) to help preserve the "Turtle" and help us reach our goal. Thank you..." Bob Champoux vp2-truculentturtle@comcast.net [26FEB2012]


Note NOTICE: "...I recently acquired a flight jacket owned by MARCHETTI, A. USNR. There are patches for VPB-1, VPB-2 VPB-99 and VS-31 USS Wright (CVL-49). I would to hear from anyone that may have known him..." Contributed by Jerry Kolakowski guma32@wp.pl [22MAR2011]


Note NOTICE: "...I served with VP-2 from 1963 to 1964. I'm Looking for any photos of my plane (YC 6) that deployed out of NAS Whidbey Island, Washington to NAS Kodiak, Alaska and NAS Adak, Alaska. Trying to reconstruct my Cruise Book so anything would be appreciated. Thanks. SAVAGE, ATN3 Henry B. "HB" hbs1943@yahoo.com..." [16OCT2009]


Note NOTICE: "...At the recent VP-2 Reunion the name Jim Loberger came up. Does any one know of him? If so please send an e-mail to Chuck Schwaebe at cschwaebe@yahoo.com. They flew together in either VW-13, VR-1 or VP-2. Thanks...Richard (Dick) Manning rb.mann@fidalgo.net..." [27NOV2006]


Note NOTICE: "...VP-2 Memorial Project for NAS Whidbey Island, Washington. We are looking for Maintenance and Structural Manuals for the P2V7. The Memorial is going to be for all the Squadrons who were at NAS Whidbey Island, Washington and the Shipmates who Died in the Operation of the Squadrons. So if you know or if you hear of Manuals please let me know so we can get bird to Nas Whidbey. SEXTON, Guy Capecod2443@aol.com..." [10FEB2002]

UPDATE "...Patrol squadrons finally recognized - By Jessie Stensland - Sep 16 2006 - Whidbey News Times http://www.whidbeynewstimes.com/..." Forwarded by Jim Campbell blandjcampbell@aol.com [26NOV2006]

Hundreds of people traveled thousands of miles to be in Oak Harbor Thursday morning.

The first-of-its-kind Patrol Squadron Memorial was dedicated to aircrews past and present, and presented to the Oak Harbor community, in a dignified and emotional ceremony at the Veterans Park on East Pioneer Way. It began with a flyover by a P-3 Orion.

Linda MacDonald and her husband, Bob, flew to Oak Harbor from California to be at the ceremony with their two daughters. Linda said they came to the event in memory of her brother Dale Armour, whose name is engraved in a granite wall of the memorial along with the 84 other servicemen who lost their lives in Whidbey-based patrol squadron operations.

The memorial has deep meaning for the family.

"It's a culmination," Linda said. "It's closure. It gives us a place to come now to remember him."

Armour, a 22-year-old member of VP-42, was in a VP-2 Neptune aircraft that disappeared while on patrol in Alaska in 1967. The site of the crash wasn't found until 16 years later.

The MacDonald family was among more than 600 people who attended the ceremony. It coincided with a Reunion of Patrol Squadron Two Association, which is the group behind the memorial.

Capt. David Taylor, Commander of Patrol and Reconnaissance Wing 10, spoke passionately during the ceremony about the history of the Navy's patrol and reconnaissance squadrons, which is a history inextricably linked to Oak Harbor. The first patrol squadron at Whidbey Island Naval Air Station flew PBY Catalinas in the 1940s.

Taylor spoke about how patrol squadrons helped to win the Cold War by "playing a cat-and-mouse game" with Soviet submarines and planes.

"Anywhere we could chase the enemy bear, we wore the enemy down," he said.

Yet Taylor said the patrol mission is still valid today, even with the end of the Cold War.

"This is a time of great challenge and change to the patrol and reconnaissance squadrons," he said, "our Navy and our nation."

Taylor also spoke about the bronze statue of a 1960s era airman, which is the centerpiece of the memorial.

"I see a proud warrior of the past," he said, "but I also see in his face the warrior of the present."

Floyd Palmer, president of the Patrol Squadron Two Association, turned over ownership of the memorial to the citizens of Oak Harbor with an official presentation to Mayor Patty Cohen.

Afterward, Palmer explained that the effort to build a memorial started when he took a tour of Whidbey Island Naval Air Station more than six years ago and realized that there was nothing to recognize patrol squadrons. It took the work of many members of the association and money from many generous donors to finally make his dream a reality.

During her speech, Cohen said the patrol squadrons didn't receive as much recognition as others in the military because "their missions were always classified," but she said they were definitely "so deserving of a permanent place in town."

The Northwest Navy Ceremonial Band ended the ceremony by playing Taps. Afterward, the audience got the chance to look at the memorial close up.

Robert Lenson, a member of the VP-2 Association, attended the event with his wife, Raye. He was the skipper of VP-17 in 1964.

Husband and wife agreed that such a memorial was long overdue.

"It means a great deal," Raye said. "We mourn the loss of crewmates. This recognition is important."

© Copyright 2005 Whidbey News Times

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UPDATE "...LEFT PICTURE: Appeared on page 2 of the 9-27 issue of the Northwest Navigator, NAS Whidbey Edition. This is the Northwest Navy newspaper for the region. RIGHT PICTURE: Win Stites..." Forwarded by McLAUGHLIN, LT Bob banddmcl1964@msn.com [04OCT2006]

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UPDATE "...On 9-14-2006 a Patrol Squadron Memorial dedication ceremony was held in Oak Harbor, WA. In attendance were approximately 600 past and present members of the VP community that had served at NAS Whidbey Island and the speakers were a mix of community and military leaders as well as those who had served. If you would like further info for your website I'll be glad to send what I have. Attached are a few photos..." Contributed by GOODMAN, AWCS Edward E. (Ed) Retired edusnret@gmail.com [25SEP2006]

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UPDATE "...If you don't get the "Wings" magazine, there is an article in it about a new Patrol Squadron memorial being built. Here are the highlights...Contributed by LARSON, LCDR John Retired oriondriver1975@yahoo.com..." [01NOV2005]

In 2004 the city of Oak Harbor approved the placement of the memorial in the city's Veterans Memorial Park.

VP squadrons have served at NAS Whidbey Island, Washington since 1942. In the Cold War periods, when most other active duty military forces were limited to exercises, simulators and war games to train for their various warfare specialties, VP aircraft and crews flew all-weather missions around the clock keeping track of the growing fleet of Soviet submarines in our waters and in theirs. VP crews did much of their training against live Soviet submarines. In addition to the ASW mission, VP crews were responsible for ocean reconnaissance, surveillance, mining and electronic warfare operations.

The Memorial has a single, simple purpose: the recognition of the contribution to freedom that the men and women of the NAS Whidbey Island, Washington patrol squadron community have made in over 60 years of service. Hundreds of Whidbey Is personnel have been lost in the VP operations since 1942. Among them are those whose names will appear on this Memorial from the Whidbey Is. P2V community.

The Whidbey Patrol Squadron Memorial is dedicated to all USN personnel who served in Navy patrol squadrons at NAS Whidbey Is. and to those Whidbey P2V airmen who lost their lives in the line of duty in VP operations.

The Memorial design consists of a life-size bronze statue of an airman in flight gear standing in front of a 3-section granite wall. Featured on the wall are an outline of a P2V, the Memorial dedication, a map depicting deployment sites, a list of Whidbey VP units and the names of those who perished in P2V flight ops.

Surrounding the walls are bricks inscribed in accordance with the wishes of donors who purchase the bricks. Brick purchases form the primary means of fund-raising for the Memorial which is scheduled for dedication in mid 2006. See http://www.patron2.com/files/wpsm.html for info on the Memorial, a listing of the 59 VP squadrons that served at Whidbey, the history of Whidbey VP operations and info on the Catalinas, Venturas, Mariners, Privateers, Neptunes, Marlins, and Orions involved.

Widespread support and donations for this memorial are encouraged. Brick orders and donations should be sent to Vic Gulliver, 1900 Franklin Dr, Glenview, IL 60026. Inquires including requests for brick-order-forms by mail should be sent to the VPSM Committee, 1376 West Beach Rd, Oak Harbor, WA 98277 or via email: wpsm@comcast.net.

UPDATE "...The following squadrons are all listed on the wall of the forthcoming Whidbey Patrol Squadron Memorial. The memorial, to be built in Oak Harbor, WA and dedicated in September 2006 includes a comemorative wall and a lifesize bronze statue of a typical VP aircrewman ready for flight.

If you are, or know any members of these squadrons, please contact us so we can keep everyone informed of the memorial progress. More information is available at http://www.patron2.com/files/wpsm.html.

VP-1, VP-2, VP-4, VP-6, VP-12, VP-17, VP-20, VP-27, VP-29, VP-32, VP-40, VP-42, VP-43/VPB-43, VP-46, VP-47, VP-50, VP-53/VPB-53, VP-57, VP-61/VPB-61, VP-62/VPB-62, VP-69, VPB-91, VP-107, VPB-112, VPB-115, VP-120/VPB-120, VP-122/VPB-122, VP-130/VPB-130, VP-131/VPB-131, VPB-135, VP-136/VPB-136, VPB-138, VPB-139, VPB-144, VPB-148, VPB-199, VPB-212, VP-772, VP-812, VP-931, VP-AM-1, VP-AM-2, VP-AM-5, VP-ML-1, VP-ML-2, VP-ML-4, VP-ML-61, VP-HL-7, VP-HL-10 and VP-HL-12.

It is a great Memorial, honoring all who served with NAS Whidbey Island, Washington Patrol Squadrons.

Al Hall, WPSM Committee, VP-2 1950-1952...Al Hall alandmarylou@comcast.net..." [24MAY2005]

UPDATE "...A project is underway to create a Memorial recognizing the contributions of all Whidbey-based VP personnel. Please advise your friends, and consider supporting this worthwhile effort to honor our Shipmates. Whidbey Patrol Squadron Memorial - Veteran's Memorial Park - Oak Harbor, WA. Completion scheduled for Summer 2006. This memorial is dedicated to all United States Naval personnel who served in Navy Patrol Squadrons based at NAS Whidbey Island, to their families, and to those Whidbey P2V airmen who lost their lives in the line of duty in VP operations. For more info: http://www.patron2.com/files/wpsm.html..." Contributed by Doug Donohue nvsoar@charter.net [24DEC2004]

Note NOTICE: "...Would like to get in touch with anyone that remembers me in VP-2 (1965 to 1966) with the detachment that was in Saigon May to July 1966. Was a AT3 in Avionics. My records do not show that I was there on the ground. Also have been looking for a VP-2 cruise book for 1966 to 1967 which may have pictures in it. Thanks...SANDWICK, AT3 Richard (Dick) rsandw@sbcglobal.net..." [12FEB2006]


Note NOTICE: "...Working on a history of Hamilton Field/AFB, CA. Need to varify that VP-2 was stationed at/or visited Hamilton some time in 1938 with at least five Douglas RD-2 Dolphin amphibians (note: not Douglas R2D). These could be Army Air Force Douglas OA-4B Dolphins, but the caption on the photo I have says Patrol Squadron Two. The insignia on the bow of these aircraft is a white circle with a single figure in the middle which could be the old VP-2 Police figure. The picture is too small to discern the figure. Thanks, any help appreciated...Fred Oberding foberding@csi.com..." [18JUL99]

UPDATE "...Haven't heard anything on whether or not VP-2 visited or was stationed at Hamilton Field in the late 30s. On further research I believe the photo caption is wrong. I'm now sure the five Douglas Dauphins in the photo were OA-4's of the 88th Reconnaissance Squadron, which was stationed at Hamilton with the 7th Bombardment Group. I have found documented evidence that the 88th did use OA-4's. The Air Corps bought 21 total of different versions of the OA-4 and the Navy only bought three RD-2's one going to the USMC and only six RD-3's of which two went to the USMC. Just different engines used between the Navy's RD-2 and 3 Douglas Dauphins...Fred Oberding foberding@csi.com..." [01SEP99]


Note NOTICE: "...Navy Establishing Augment Units For All FRS's Including VP-30..." Contributed by LCDR Robert J. Cable cablerj@vp30.navy.mil [03DEC2003]

VP-30 SAU The Navy is scheduling the establishment of a Squadron Augment Unit (SAU) attached to VP-30 for 1 October, 2004. Final numbers have yet to be released, but the SAU is likely to total near 150 personnel composed of Officer and Enlisted instructors and maintenance personnel. The SAU has begun recruiting the advance party of 20 maintainers in the AD, AE, AT, AM, and AME rates. If you are interested in serving as a Selected Reservist in VP-30 SAU, have P-3 NEC's and P-3 experience within the last 6 years, and are within drilling distance of NAS Jacksonville, Florida, please call Naval Reserve Recruiting Area SE at 904-542-3320 ext 490 or the SAU OIC at 904-542-0990.

AD - Aviation Machinist's Mate    AE - Aviation Electrician's Mate    AT - Aviation Electronics Technician    AM - Aviation Structural Mechanic

Note NOTICE: "...P2 PROJECT..." Contributed Contributed by Floyd D. Palmer plmf01@mctcnet.net via Rick Johnson johnson_rick@mesaba.com [10JAN2002]

January 10, 2002

Attention all VP-2 Personnel:

A long awaited project to obtain a P2V-7 "Neptune" aircraft for a memorial display at the NAS Whidbey Island, Washington is underway.

The project, called "P2 PROJECT" will obtain an aircraft, have an appropriate display site prepared and see that the airplane and site are properly maintained as a symbol of the Maritime Patrol and ASW community and NAS Whidbey's heritage. The aircraft will be dedicated as a memorial to all who flew in or maintained the aircraft, but particularly those who lost their lives in P2 operations over the planes many years of service. The memorial will include an appropriate display of those who lost their lives in operations with the aircraft.

Our VP-2 Association is the prime mover in the project. We have held discussions with the NAS staff, and the base has been receptive. They have laid out a program that is fairly straightforward. We will write a letter of request to NAS. NAS approves the request and forwards it to Navy Regional. Navy Regional approves the request and sends it back to NAS. NAS then draws up a lease for the "system" (aircraft and pad). With a signed lease, VP-2 will go out to the total available Whidbey P2 community and gather funds to design and fabricate a pad, find an aircraft, buy the aircraft, get the aircraft up to Whidbey, prep the aircraft, and move the aircraft onto the pad. It is still TBD who does what, but we do know that we will pay for everything. (ASIDE: the reason for the lease is that the "system" will belong to VP-2, not the Navy, and approval can be secured at the Region level....for the "system" to belong to the Navy as a "memorial", with no lease, our request would have to go all the way up the chain to DC. Our plan is to get the "system" in place, (bird-in-hand) and then work on getting the Navy to take it over.) Until that time, it is ours to maintain. Another option is to pass the maintenance of the memorial aircraft on to an organization in Oak Harbor, such as the Fleet Reserve, the VFW, CPO Club, or even the Chief-selectee`s "community service" activities.

So, where are we at this point? First, we have been looking for an aircraft for quite some time. Joe Lapham, Joe Ryan, Guy Sexton, Lloyd Olds, others, and myself have been looking all over the country. One possibility was in a museum in Pennsylvania. It was a full ASW, flyable, bird, but too expensive. Another was an aircraft down in the "boneyard" at Davis Monthan AFB. That one would have to be disassembled and trucked to Whidbey, then to be reassembled. The latest find is a P2 that belongs to Neptune Aviation, a fire bomber outfit. Because the company is in their "stand-down" between fire seasons, discussions have been on hold. The early discussions have been very positive. Broadly, the program would be that the company would get the aircraft ready to fly, fly it up to Whidbey, swap good engines for "lesser" engines, and go home. Costs discussed were tentative, pending the return of company personnel. A ballpark estimate is around $40,000. We are looking at all of our options at this time. Lloyd Olds and myself are leading this effort. Contact me if you would like to offer your expertise and support.

Second, a meeting has been scheduled at Oak Harbor on 9 January to kick off the project, locally. Don Grove, VP-2 and VP-1POPS (P-3 Orion Pioneers, members 1969-1974) was instrumental in getting a meeting notice out to 10 newspapers ranging from Bellingham and Lynden to Mt Vernon and Langley. The meeting is to get VP community support for the project, commitments to maintain the memorial aircraft, and to sort out who will be links/representatives to their organizations and follow-on meetings. It is not known at this time which squadron alumnus are organized or are willing to participate, however the several responses to the meeting notice received so far have been supportive.

Third, the official request letter has been sent to the NAS C.O. The letter will be routed through all the pertinent NAS Divisions for their approvals, signed off by the C.O., sent to the Region down in Seattle, routed, approved, and returned to Whidbey. Then, NAS will generate a lease for us to sign, and then we can begin to collect and commit funds. A WAG estimate for this is 1 April, but stand by, as we will get out a second newsletter out then to kick off our fundraising and commitments.

We need people with expertise and enthusiasm to volunteer for the many tasks. Skip Forseth has stepped up to the plate as our fund-raising Chairperson. Costs for the proposed project can be from $60,000 on up to $80,000 or more. Skip has the required energy, enthusiasm, expertise, vision, and a computer to handle the job!

We need to provide Don Hanson, our "P2 PROJECT" Chairperson with a strong support organization. Finally, we need Volunteers with a variety of talents, including, mechs, metalsmiths, legal beagles, yeomen, builders, contractors, anybody that can say, "Aye Aye".

It all starts here. If you can volunteer for fundraising, call Skip Forseth. If you can help get the aircraft out of Arizona, call on myself. If you can help get the aircraft from the runway to the memorial pad call Don Hanson, and if you would like to help in designing the pad call Wayne Bowman. All names that should be placed on the memorial should be directed to Wayne Bowman. As we get organized, tasks will be identified, assigned, and activated. Please contact the appropriate committee individuals to offer your help and they will follow-through to our Chairperson, Don Hanson.

To sum it up, we have a project to get a memorial dedicated to the Whidbey P2 community and those who lost their lives serving in that community. We have a plan. We have a timeline. We need maximum support from VP-2 and the whole P2V community.

VP-2 and the P2V community would like to thank to Don Hanson for becoming the "P2 PROJECT" Chairperson. Lets all work together as crew to make this dream a reality!

"VP-2 Project" Committee

Don Hanson, Chairperson dchanson@whidbey.net
Skip Forseth, Fundraising Chairperson
Wayne Bowman, Pad Designer and Memorial Names Chairperson wabowman@gci.net
Floyd D. Palmer, Aircraft Purchaser Chairperson plmf01@mctcnet.net
Lloyd Olds
Joe Lapham jlapham@nidlink.com
Joe Ryan

Sincerely,

Floyd D. Palmer
VP-2 Association President


Note NOTICE: "...Looking for Terry Mac Donald, Tom Reynolds, and Bob Behan...AT2 John J. jjtd@zdial.com..." [18DEC2003]


Note NOTICE: "...Looking for DAGG, Robert M. who was CO of VP-2 in late 1960's. Thanks. CALDWELL, Charles "Chuck" cbc222.cald@gmail.com..." [05MAY2002]


Note NOTICE: "...I'm looking for any information about Dave Lockart. he was the radio operator in crew 12 (VP-2 1964-1965). Last known address was Hollywood, FL. JAMISON, James N. (Jim) c/o of his son James A. Jamison jamison_james_a@LILLY.COM..." [24MAY2001]

UPDATE "...AX3 James Jamison, was reunited with his old radio operator and best friend from VP-2 as a result of the search request placed by my brother on your website. They are both attending the VP-2 reunion this fall at NAS Whidbey Island. It will be the first time they have seen each other in over 40 years!..." [27JUL2006]


Note NOTICE: "...Along with several of our Shipmates, I have put together a list of the Shipmates of VP-2 who were also Shipmates in VO-67. It is a list that shows that, probably, VP-2 supplied the largest number of members of any Squadron to VO-67. Capt. Sharp (Deceased), Chester Coons (KIA), Jim Kravitz (KIA), Richard Mancini, (KIA), Del Olson (KIA), Mike Roberts (KIA), (Alex) A.G. Alexander, Doug Donohue Larry Gire, Robert Hadley, Jake Jacobs, R.R. King, Brian Millette, William Young, and Jerry Welker. If anyone can add to this list, I would appreciate knowing about it... A. G.(Alex) Alexander, CDR, Retired vo67usn@bresnan.net..." [07JAN2001]


Note NOTICE: "...I served with VP-2 from 1963 to 1965 as Radioman of Crew #8. Since the Reunion at Whidbey in August 23-26, 2000 I've been trying to find two of my crew (AT1 Ted H. Esrey and AO2 Cecil M. Bostick). Anyone who knows anything about them or please let me know. I am also looking for LCDR Byron R. Miller, LT William E. Stepp, and LTJG E. J. RABY. I would like to hear from all of them and see them at the next Reunion in 2002...Guy Sexton Capecod2443@aol.com..." [22DEC2000]


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