VP Shipmate Directory
 "...ISBELL, CAPTAIN Arnold Jay...http://www.ranger95.com/navy/navy_ship/combat_ship/destroyers/background/arnold_j_isbell_dd_869_bak.htm Arnold J. Isbell—born on 22 September 1899 in Quimby, Iowa—entered the Naval Academy on 24 July 1917 and graduated on 3 June 1920 (a year ahead of schedule due to acceleration of midshipman training during World War I) with class 21A of the Class of 1921. Isbell then served successive tours of duty in Melville (AD-2), Bath (AK-4), and the fast minelayers Ingraham (DM-9) and Burns (DM-11) before beginning flight instruction at the NAS Pensacola, Florida, on 30 June 1923. He then briefly served as an instructor there before reporting to Observation Squadron 1, based in the minelayer Aroostook (CM-3) which was then serving as an aircraft tender in November 1924. In March of the following year, he was transferred to the aviation unit of the battleship Tennessee (BB-43). Following two years of postgraduate work in ordnance back at the Naval Academy between the summers of 1926 and 1928, he received further flight instruction at Washington, D.C., under the supervision of the post graduate school, before going to sea with Torpedo Squadron IB in aircraft carrier Lexington (CV—2)...Isbell then served in the Aviation Ordnance Section of the Bureau of Ordnance (BuOrd) in Washington before reporting to Newport News, Va., on 16 September 1933 to participate in the fitting out of the Navy's first aircraft carrier to be built as such from the keel up, Ranger (CV-4). Following a brief tour of duty in that ship, he served from 6 June 1934 to 9 June 1936 in carrier Saratoga (CV-3) as gunnery officer on the staff of Rear Admiral (later Vice Admiral) Henry V. Butler, Commander, Aircraft, Battle Force...Isbell subsequently flew as executive officer of VP-7F based in aircraft tender USS Wright (AV-1) from 9 June 1936 to 1 June 1937 before commanding one of the five squadrons of the Aviation Training Department at NAS Pensacola, Florida, VN-4D8. While at Pensacola, he won the coveted Schiff Trophy, "emblematic of maximum safety in aircraft operation."...In the early summer of 1939, Lt. Comdr. Isbell assumed command of VP-11 (later redesignated VP-54). The German invasion of Poland on 1 September 1939 found VP-54 based at NAS Norfolk, Virginia; engaged in biennial maintenance of its dozen PBY—2 flying boats. Eight days later, a detachment of six planes departed NAS Norfolk, Virginia and arrived at Newport, R.I., their assigned base, that same day. The entire squadron resumed operations on NAS Norfolk, Virginia on 14 November 1939, relieving VP-53 on the Middle Atlantic Patrol...During one of the flights his squadron conducted in the initial selection and survey of Army and Navy base sites in Newfoundland in the autumn of 1940—sites obtained in the "destroyers-for-bases" deal of the summer before—Isbell found himself in the path of a hurricane. In an attempt to evade the storm, Isbell skillfully maneuvered his aircraft in the murk until exceptionally strong headwinds forced him to make an emergency night landing on Prince Edward Island. Isbell took off before daybreak, despite fog and violent winds, and reached his destination without mishap. After completing his inspection over uninhabited regions and seacoast areas, Isbell returned to Newfoundland to carry out an aerial survey of Argentina, a place soon to become famous as the site of the "Atlantic Charter" conference. Isbell's expert airmanship and tenacious devotion to completing his mission resulted in his receiving the air medal...Relieved of command of VP-54 on 15 April 1941, Isbell then served successive tours of duty in a staff capacity—first for Commander, Patrol Wing, Support Force (16 April-2 October 1941) as that command's planes escorted North Atlantic convoys; then as chief of staff and aide for Rear Admirals E. D. McWhorter and A. D. Bernhard, CPW Atlantic Fleet (3 October 1941-11 June 1942)—before assuming command of NAS, Sitka, Alaska, on 5 June 1942. Promoted to captain during his time in the Aleutians, Isbell then served briefly in BuOrd before assuming command of the escort carrier Card (CVE-11) on 17 April 1943...For the next year, Card ranged the essential lifeline across the Atlantic to North Africa, earning together with her escorting destroyers, a Presidential Unit Citation under the resourceful "Buster" Isbell, who believed firmly in the potential of the CVE, maintaining that such a ship, together with her escorts, "could most effectively whip the submarine menace—as an independent offensive group rather than as a mere tag-along protector of a single convoy." Isbell used the year he commanded Card wisely to vindicate his belief. As antisubmarine task group commander between 27 July and 9 November 1943, Isbell developed his escort carrier-destroyer unit into a powerful combat force, refining tactics to meet the operational demands imposed by a wily and tenacious foe and wresting the initiative from his hands. Card sought out the enemy undersea craft with relentless determination m a vigorous offensive and struck with a devastating coordinated action that destroyed eight U-boats between 7 August and 31 October 1943...Detached from Card on 9 March 1944, Isbell—who had been awarded a Legion of Merit for his important work in Card—took his intimate knowledge of combatting U-boats to Washington, where he served in the 10th Fleet—a shipless "fleet" set up to research and develop tactics for antisubmarine warfare. Following this tour of shore duty—which lasted into 1945—Isbell was slated to receive command of a fast carrier. On 26 February 1945, he was ordered to the Pacific for temporary duty in Franklin (CV-13). On 13 March 1945, further orders directed him to relieve Capt. Thomas S. Combs as commanding officer of Yorktovm (CV-10). However, Capt. Isbell perished when a Japanese plane scored two bomb hits that touched off a conflagration in Franklin—the carrier in which he was embarked as a passenger—off Kyushu on 19 March 1945..." [26MAR2005]
"...ISAACS, AMM3 Samuel William  ...My father, Samuel William Isaacs, passed away August 30th, 1994. Dad served with in the Navy (23JUN1936-03JUL1940) with VP-3F, VP-3 and VP-32..." Contributed by Jim Isaacs gundogjaik@mac.com [Pix Added 27APR2018 | 21APR2018]
ISAAC, Gregg gregg.isaac@navy.mil "...I served with VQ-3 at NAS Barbers Point, Hawaii from 1985 to 1988. This was the best place I have ever been stationed..." [16APR2009]
ISAACSON, AE John jsi5ike@soltec.net   "...I served with VP-2 from about April 1962 to October 17, 1964. I came into the squadron in just enough time to find that there were not enough electricians to fill all the crews and that I would be needed to fill a spot. Being very near sighted I had been told I could not fly as a crew member. Never mind, the rules can be bent until we can find another person to take your place! I flew for thirteen months taking part in at least one deployment and participating in crews 9,3, and 1 during that time. Also I participated in the deployment of winter 1964 that ended in the Good Friday earthquake! I was at that time working in the NAS Adak, Alaska detachment with R. J. Casey and M. F. Rosene in Aircraft Maintenance Electric Shop. I remember that we moved to high ground (the EM Club) until the danger of tidal wave passed. We then stayed on at NAS Adak, Alaska to continue our squadron duties of patrolling the North Pacific until we were relieved by the first squadron of P3Vs to go to Alaska. I would like to hear from anyone else who served at the same time..." [17FEB2002]
ISABELL, Jeff "IZZY" orion-ewo@excite.com "...I served with VP-46 from 85-89 (COMEDY AIRCLUB 10) and also CPW-2 Trainer facility. Had too many good times, and friends to count. I miss it all! P-3's for ever!..." [01JUL99]
ISABELLA, Dominic dom@groupmail.com "...I served with VP-64 (NAS Willow Grove, Pennsylvania) as a ready reservist from 1967 to October 1973. Would like to hear from others in my old unit..." [18MAY2005]
ISAMINGER, Eric EIsam@aol.com "...I was in VP-10 from 1987-1991 as a LT Pilot..."
ISBELL, James Hoonakwa@worldnet.att.net "...I was with VP-47 from 76-79 and with VP-26 from 80-82 anyone out wanna remember those old days?..." [15NOV98]
ISELE, CDR Charles P. Retired cpisele@aol.com "...After retiring from active duty, I became the vice president of a fire fighting company which operates 8 P-3A's and 4 P2V's. The aircraft are working machines and available for tours if anyone is in the northern Ca. area. During the fire season, the aircraft are deployed all over the U.S. I was the C.O. of VP-48 in 1986 and deployed to NAS Adak, Alaska and NAS Cubi Point, Philippines. We operated a "Beartrap" and the P-3C baseline. Bob Lunning was my XO and he was chief pilot for the fire operation prior to going with Southwest Airlines. Master Chief Ron Hunter continues to work for me as the Director of Air Operations. Chief Mike Thomas is the Assistant Director of Maintenance and Chief Jerry Edwards is a supervisor within the organization. Wayne Weller was with us for awhile then returned to the Bay area where the fishing was better. Capt. Ron Testa passed away almost 2 years ago, but he represented us in Washington. Capt. Al Ross has that position now. Capt. Bill Broadwell is the Executive Director of the Fire Association. Duane Powers works for Hawkings and Powers in Greybull, Wy and actively flys on fires. Drop me a line if your a previous boomer from VP-48..." [15APR2001]
ISNER, CDR Rennix J. https://naval-air.org/flightlog/moreinfo.asp?UID=239 "...CDR Rennix J. Isner, USN - NFL Number: 239 - Date of Birth: 5/14/1913 - Date In: 1/1/1937 - Date Out: 1/1/1958 - City, State: Melbourne, FL - School Attended: Davis & Elkins Col - Aircraft Flown: PBY-1, PBY5, PBY5A, F6F-5, B-17, R4D, R5D - Ship or Unit: VPB-52 - VPB-51, CO - VPB-71, CO - Pilot Desg.: SeniorCommandPilot - Theaters, Campaigns, etc.: Pacific, Atlantic - Associations/Service Organizations: Ret. Officers Assn - AARP - Highest personal decoration or award: Air Medal - Significant Achievements: 5272 hours flight time. Green-card qualified. CO of VPB-52. 1952 Kansas City Flood Disaster Coordinator. In Memoriam? No..." [30NOV2005]
ISOM, AE2 Larry larry.isom@twc.com "...I served with VP-31 (03/1961-11/1963) at NAS North Island, San Diego, California. I would like to hear from former Shipmates..." [E-Mail Updated 24JAN2014 | E-Mail/BIO Updated 05FEB2013 | E-Mail/BIO Updated 10DEC2003 | 17FEB2001]
"Shipmate I Summary Page"
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