U.S. NAVAL AIR STATION KODIAK, ALASKA NA34/A12 95:ACF:mah C-492 SEP 8 1945 CONFIDENTIAL ____________ From: Commanding Officer, Naval Air Station Kodiak, Alaska. To: Chief of Naval Operations (History Unit, Op-33-J-6, Office of Editorial Research). Subj: History of NAS, Kodiak, Alaska; submission of 1 June 1945 to 1 September 1945, supplement to. Refs: (a) Manual for Historical Officers, NavAer OO-25Q-26. (b) Director of Naval History ltr., serial CL-162 dated 19 Feb. 1945. (c) CNO ltr. Op-33-J-6-JEJ, serial 118433, dated 14 March 1945. Encl: (A) History of Naval Air Station, Kodiak, Alaska; supplement from 1 June 1945 to 1 September 1945. (2 copies) 1. In accordance with reference (a), (b), and (c), enclosure (A) is submitted herewith. R R Lyons cc: Com17 (w/encl) HISTORY OF U.S. NAVAL AIR STATION KODIAK, ALASKA IN THREE PARTS 1. Chronology 2. Narrative 3. Appendices Four copies submitted 1 September 1945 at U. S. Naval Air Station, Kodiak, Alaska: Copies 1 & 2 to historical Unit Op-33-J-6 Office of Editorial Research. Copy 3 to Com17, Adak, Alaska. Copy 4 to N.A.S., Kodiak, Alaska. CONFIDENTIAL U.S. NAVAL AIR STATION KODIAK, ALASKA 1. CHRONOLOGY 2. Commanding Officers of Naval Air Station (a) Name and Rank Raymond R. Lyons, Captain, USN (b) Dates of Command Captain William M. McDade, USN - 28 july 1943 to 30 August 1945. Captain Raymond R. Lyons, USN - 30 August 1945 to present date. (c) Home Town Captain Raymond R. Lyons, USN - Honolulu, T. H. (d) Biographical data (see appendix 97) (e) Photographs (see appendix 98-99) 8. Squadron VPB-62 releived Squadron VPB-43 on 12 August 1945. U.S. NAVAL AIR STATION KODIAK, ALASKA 2. NARRATIVE FACILITIES AT NAS, KODIAK _________________________ On 3 July 1945, instrument low approach equipment SCS 51 was flight checked by the Officer-in-Charge of Low Approach Groups, NAS Whidby Island. The notam announcing that the equipment was in comm- ission was issued 5 July 1945. On 9 August 1945, a rotating beacon was placed in operations approximately one mile west of the control tower. The beacon has a white light and rotates six times per minute. OUTLYING STATIONS IN KODIAK SECTOR __________________________________ The project to improve Miller Field, Cape Chiniak, Kodiak Is- land, as an alternative for NAS Kodiak, was discontinued about 1 Aug- ust 1945. FUNCTIONAL ACTIVITIES _____________________ On 30 May 1945, planes J2F-6, Bureau Nos. 33537 and 33539, arrived at this station via ferry flight from NAS Seattle, Washington. On 1 June 1945, the planes were delivered to the Operations department for utility flying. On 25 Jume 1945, the pilot and crew of NAS Kodiak Operations Cata- lina Amphibian (PBY-5A) airplane X-10, BuNo. 48440, sighted the wreckage of an airplane on a mountain slope in the northeastern shore of Lake Becharof. A rescue and survey party was dispatched to the scene and the plane was identified as Catalina Amphibian (PBY-5A) airplane, BuNo. 7297, (wing designation 28V) which departed from Dutch harbor on 10 march 1943 -1- CONFIDENTIAL U.S. NAVAL AIR STATION KODIAK, ALASKA 2. NARRATIVE on a routine flight to NAS Kodiak, and had been missing since that date. )appendix 101 and 102) On 19 July 1945, the Kodiak Navy Weather Central detachment was transferred to NAS Adak. At the same time the Aerology Division of the Operations department was expanded to a complement of fifteen officers and forty-six enlisted men by the reassignment of some of the personnel formerly attached to Weather Central. On 23 July 1945, a Stinson plane CAA registration no. NC 15120, pilot L. H. Thompson (civilian), departed Cherikof for Kodiak, with Jack Gotcher, passenger. The plane was unreported after take-off and search and rescue operations failed to reveal any trace of the aircraft. (Commadning Officer, NAS Kodiak report to Civil Aeronautics Administra- tion, appendix 100) On 30 July 1945, by Chief, BuAir letter Aer-MA-223-JGE over NA34, the aircraft maintenance facilities of NAS Kodiak were reclassified from Class B to Class C. On 1 August 1945, Naval Air Transport Service Squadron VR-5 put into effect a revised schedule of flights to NAS Kodiak. The daily shuttle between Kodiak and Anchorage was eliminated and Kodiak was made a regular stop on the daily R4-D flights operating between Anch- orage and Adak. From 1 June 1945 to 1 September 1945, Naval Air Transport Service Squadron VR-5 transported approximatley three thou- sand two hundred (3200) officers and enlisted men from the Hula Two project at Cold Bay, Alaska to NAS Kodiak for further transportation -2- CONFIDENTIAL U.S. NAVAL AIR STATION KODIAK, ALASKA 2. NARRATIVE to Seattle, Washington. This was accomplished by approximately eighty-five(85) flights, including special flights and flag stops, on regularly scheduled flights. On 14 August 1945, a congressional party consisting of represent atives Homer D. Angell of Oregon, Charles R. Robertson on North Dakota, and Marion T. Bennet of Missouri, arrived at this station on a U. S. Army C-47, with Ernest Gruening, Governor of Alaska, to meet with local Kodiak officials to discuss plans for the development and improvement of the territory of Alaska. On 16 August 1945, Woodley Airlines replaced Alaska Airlines as the certificated carrier for air mail, passenger, and cargo service to Kodiak. U.S. NAVAL AIR STATION KODIAK, ALASKA 3. APPENDICES 97. Biographical date of Commanding Officers. 98. Photographs of arrival of Captain Raymond R. Lyons, on 27 August 1945. 99. Photographs of Change of Command ceremony on 30 August 1945. 100. Commanding Officer, NAS Kodiak, report to Civil Aeronautics Administration, dated 10 August 1945. 101. Commanding Officer, NAS Kodiak, Alaska, report of investig- ation of crash of Catalina Amphibian (PBY-5A) (28V) BuNo. 7297. 102. Sixteen Photographs of scene of crash of Catalina Amphibian (PBY- 5A) (28V) BuNo. 7297. U.S. NAVAL AIR STATION KODIAK, ALASKA A-97 Biographical data of Commanding Officers (d) Capt. Raymond R. Lyons, USN Born: 10 December 1902, Ulster County, New York. Father's Name: Michael H. Lyons. Mother's Maiden Name: Elizabeth Willigan. Wife's Maiden Name: Barbara E. Baldwin. U. S. Naval Academy, Class of 1935. U.S. NAVAL AIR STATION KODIAK, ALASKA Captain Lyons has been in the Naval Service since 1921 when he entered the naval Academy at Annapolis. Upon graduation from the Naval Academy in 1925, he reported aboard the "USS Oklahoma" as a gunnery and engineering officer. In January of 1927, he was assigned to duty with the Asiatic Fleet aboard the "USS Hart", a light minesweeper, as Engineering Officer. He was promoted to Lieutenant (junior grade) in June 1928. In April 1929, he returned to the United States for flight train- ing at the Naval Air Station, Pensacola, Florida. One year later, he graduated as Naval Aviator number 2626. [crossed out text] He was then assigned to flight duty on the heavy cruiser, the "USS North- ampton", and in June 1931, served in the same capacity on the "USS Rich- mond", a light cruiser. The following year he was ordered to the Fourteenth Naval District at Pearl Harbor where he served for two years in Operations and Intell- igence work. In 1934, he reported to the Staff of the Commander of the Pacific Minecraft Battleforce and served there until 1938 in the capa- city of Flag Secretary and Communications Officer. During this time he was advanced to Lieuntnant (senior grade). In June 1938, he reported to Washington D. C. for duty with the Hy- drographic Office in the Navy Department and was promoted to Lieutenant Commander in September 1939. In September 1940, the Captain began a seven month advanced Aerology course at California Institute of Technology. A-97 Page 2 of 3 CONFIDENTIAL U.S. NAVAL AIR STATION KODIAK, ALASKA Upon completion of this course, he reported to the Pensacola Naval Air Station as Aerology Officer. Later, he transferred to Naval Air Station at Corpus Christi, Texas, of which he could be consid- ered one of the founding fathers. In January of 1943, he reported for sea duty on board the ill- ustrious light carrier, the "USS Belleau Wood". Aboard this far ranging carrier, which saw action in many Pacific engagements, he ser- ved as First Lieutenant and later as Executive Officer. He was promo- ted to Commander in July 1943 with the date of rank as of August 1942. In February of 1944, he was ordered to Tacoma, Washington, in connection with the outfitting of the "USS Kenneth Whiting". He ass- umed command of that ship when it was commissioned 8 May 1944. He saw action aboard this ship in the Pacific until July 1945, when he was assigned to his duties here. He was advanced to his present rank of Captain in May 1945, with the date of rank as of March 1945. A-97 page 3 of 3 CONFIDENTIAL U.S. NAVAL AIR STATION KODIAK, ALASKA NA34/L11-1 95:RBD:mah 10 August 1945 From: Commanding Officer, NAS Kodiak, Alaska. To: Department of Commerce, Civil Aeronautics Administration, General Inspection Division, Anchorage, Alaska. Attention: Mr. Putman. Subj: Flight of NC15120 on 23 July 1945. Ref: (a) Your dispatch 30 July 1945. Encls: Transcript of Control Tower contacts with NC15120 on 20 July 1945. 1. NC15120, a Stinson, pilot Thompson, departed Homer and arrived Chirikof on 20 July 1945. The reason for the flight was a cattle inspection at Chirikof Island, and the pilot adviced he had approval from the C.A.A. and Fort Richardson at Anchorage. 2. On 23 July NC15120 departed Chirikof for Kodiak. Permission was requested on the departure report for the flight to land at Kodiak and clear cattle pictures through Intelligence. After departure no radio contact was made with the aircraft by any station. 3. Attempts were made to contact the flight starting approximately 1120 AWT. When no results were obtained, Chirikof was requested to forward the latest news of the aircraft. They replied no further information avail- able. The following steps were then taken: a. The Kodiak DF station was alerted. b. The CAA at Woody Island put out a dispatch emergency warning on Circuits 302 and 303 at 1250 AWT. c. An aircraft enroute to Kodiak via Chirikof was requested to watch for the overdue Stinson. d. All canneries were requested to forward any information on this aircraft. e. Homer was checked and had no information on the aircraft. f. Cherikof advised at our request that the occupants were L. N. (Bud) Thompson and Jack Gotcher, both believed to reside in Anchorage. 4. Air search was delayed due to weather, however, two surface craft A-100 Page 1 of 2 U.S. NAVAL AIR STATION KODIAK, ALASKA were requested to search east and west coasts of Kodiak Island on 24 July. Weather improved sufficiently on 28 July for air search and two aircraft covered the east coast of Kodiak Island this date. Results negative. C.A.A. Anchorage was advised, also Army Operations at Anch- orage. Organized air search continued on the 29th and 30th but results were negative. 5. C.A.A. Anchorage designated Jack McChord, Chirikof Island Cattle Company, to assume responsibility for search on 30 July. 6. Local aircraft have been requested to maintain a lookout for this aircraft. W. D. McDade A-100 page 2 of 2 U.S. NAVAL AIR STATION KODIAK, ALASKA NA32/L11-1 95HTB:mah C-410 21 July 1945 CONFIDENTIAL ____________ From: The Commanding Officer, NAS Kodiak, Alaska. To: The Secretary of the Navy. Subj: Crash of Catalina Amphibian (PBY-5A) (28V), BuNo. 7297; investigation and report of. Encls: (A) Copy of Com17 Dispatch #072340, July 1945, Confidential. (B) Copy of Adak Dispatch #081732, July 1945, Confidential. (C) Copy of DepComFairWing 4, #073159, July 1945, Confidential. (D) Copy of NAF Dutch Harbor Dispatch #090237, July 1945, Confidential. (E) Flight Route. (F) map of Area and Wreckage Distribution. (G) List of Personnel Effects. (H) Identification Plate, USN ByOrd Bombsight MKXU #1064. (I) NAS Kodiak Postal Officer's Report. (J) NAS Kodiak Aerology Report on Synoptic Surface Charts, 9, 10, 11 March 1943. (K) Sixteen Photographs. (L) Copy of Senior Medical Officer's Conf. ltr. NA34/P6-3(3) dated 20 July 1945. 1. On 10 March 1943, PBY-5A(Wing designation 28V), BuNo. 7297, departed Dutch harbor on a routine flight to NAS Kodiak and has been missing since that date. On 25 June 1945, wreckage was sighted by NAS Kodiak Operations aircraft on a mountain slope on the northeast shore of Lake Becharof, approximate Lat. 57o58" North and Long. 155o48" West, which has subsequently been identified as the above missing aircraft, (enclosure (E) Flight Route, location of wreckage). 2. A rescue and survey party of five (5) officers and ten (10) enlisted men were flown to Lake Becharof on 3 July 1945 to make a complete exam- ination of the wreckage, recover personnel remains, salvage mail, and destroy whatever confidential equipment not transportable down the steep slope of the mountainside. 3. The naval personnel reported aboard and missing from the subject flight, according to enclosures (A), (B), and (C), (copy of dispatches regarding crew), were as follows: GISH, Russel Cedric, Lt.(jg) USNR (Pilot) RAMPINI, John Jr., AOM2c SCHMIDT, Edward Francis, Ens. USNR (Co-pilot) DUFF, Thomas Domoi, ARM3c ESTES, Henry Howard, AP1c EGGERSGLUSS, harvey H., AMM3c SUMMERVILLE, Louis Hilton, AMM2c Herring, John Calvin, ARF3c A-101 Page 1 of 3 CONFIDENTIAL U.S. NAVAL AIR STATION KODIAK, ALASKA NA34/L11-1 95:HTB;mah CONFIDENTIAL ____________ Subj: Crash of Catalina Amphibian (PBY-5A)(28V), BuNo. 7297; investigation and report of. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - There was no evidence that any of the aircraft's personnel survived the crash. Fire consumed part of the aircraft's center-section, and rib bones and vertebrae were found in charred clothing at this point. The only other evidence of personnel was the recovery of four (4) skulls, intact, four (4) lower jaw bones with teeth, and one (1) upper dental plate. The remains were scattered over an area of 150 yards in diameter. Weathering and animals undoubtably destroyed much of the remains. Enclosure (G) gives the list of personnel effects of the crew found in the wreckage. Enclosure (L) is a report of identification from the Senior Medical Officer. 4. The crash disintegrated the aircraft into six major parts scattered over an area approximatley 1500 yards long by 300 yards wide. The point of impact was on the 18o slope of a mountainside about 300 yards from the summit. (Enclosure (F), map of area, and wreckage distribution). The landing gear was in a retracted position, tires fully inflated, wing tip floats retracted and undamaged. The only confidential gear aboard the aircraft was USN BuOrd Bombsight MKXU #1064, enclosure (H). Ident- ification plates were removed and castings and parts broken up and buried remotely from the wreckage. Eleven sacks of mail were found. All first class mail, regardless of condition, was salvaged and turned over to the NAS Kodiak Postal Officer, a member of the salvage party. (Enclosure (I), Postal Officer's report.) 5. The official weather summary for the period of 9, 10, and 11 March 1943 is shown in enclosure (J). A check of the Synoptic Surface Charts for Dutch Harbor, at the time of take-off (0840, 10 March 1943), gave unlimited ceiling and 12 miles of visibility. Port Heiden, enroute, at departure time was 300 feet, temperature 33, dew point 32, one-half (1/2) mile visibility. Naknek, 43 miles from the scene of the crash, had 1,000 feet, light fog, temperature 34, dew point 32. All wind forces were light. Improvement throughout the day was sxpected, with the possible exception of the Naknek (Lake Becharof) area. 6. The following dispatch from NAF Dutch harbor to NAS Kodiak describes the operational circumstances under which the aircraft disappeared; "ADDTO CATALINA WRECK INFORMATION X CONSEVENTEENS 072340 X OLD DISPATCHES SHOW THAT GISH TOOK OFF FROM DUTCH FOR KODIAK IN 27V3 AT 0840W 10 MARCH 1943 X FLIGHT PLANNED ALONG NORTH SIDE OF CHAIN TO CROSS AT UGASHIK BAY TO KODIAK X DUTCH WAS UNABLE TO CONTACT GISH AFTER TAKEOFF X ARMY ADVISED NO CONTACTS AT ANY TIME X RADIO KODIAK 110437 MARCH TO NAF ADAK REQUEST- ING NAMES OF CREW AND PASSENGERS WAS DIRECTED TO COMPATRON 43." (reference no. 090237) A-101 Page 2 of 3 CONFIDENTIAL investigation and report of. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - The path of the wreckage (90o True), when compared with the flight plan described in the above dispatch, indicated the aircraft was approximately "on course" that is, using the planned cross-over from Ugashik Bay (see flight route enclosure (E))to Kodiak when the crash occured. The fol- lowing instrument readings listed herewith is not conclusive evidence of the attitude of the airdraft when the crash occured, (enclosure (K), Photo- graph #1); Aircraft clock 1538(W) Dutch Harbor time Altimeters (2) 400 feet Vertical speed indicator (1) 2150 F.P.M. Air speed indicator (1) 188 Kns. Manifold pressure gauges (2) 28 inches Automatic pilor switches "rudder only" Chronometer: 1103: 2103 Civil Time (Dutch Harbor) 7. The possible causes contributing to the crash of the aircraft may have been adverse weather, t\radio failure, instrument failure, icing cond- itions, or mistaking Lake Becharof for Shelikof Straits and letting doen for better forward visibility. W. D. McDADE cc: CNO-(OP-32) BuAir ComFairWing 4 Com17 A101- Page 3 of 3 CONFIDENTIAL