U.S. NAVAL AIR STATION KODIAK, ALASKA NA34/A12 95:CEF:nn 182 FEB 10 1947 From: Commanding Officer, Naval Air Station, Kodiak, Alaska. To: Chief of Naval Operations (Aviation history Unit, OP-519B, Office of Editorial Research). Subj: History of NAS Kodiak, Alaska; submission of 1 April 1946 to 31 December 1946, supplement of. Ref: (a) Manual for Historical Officers, NavAer OO-25Q-26. (b) Aviation Circular Letter 22-46, serial 16-P-519, dated 8 February 1946. (c) Aviation Circular Letter 71-46, serial 102-P-519 dated 30 April 1946. Encl: (A) History of NAS Kodiak, Alaska; supplement from 1 April 1946 to 31 December 1946 (2 copies). 1. In accordance with reference (a), (b), and (c), enclosure (A) is submitted herewith. R. C. SUTLIFF 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 31 December 1946 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, Kodiak, Alaska. Copy 4 to N. A.S., Kodiak, Alaska. U.S. NAVAL AIR STATION KODIAK, ALASKA 1. Chronology 2. Commanding Officer of Naval Air Station (a) Name and Rank Captain R. C. Sutliff, USN. (b) Date of Command 18 June 1946 to present date. (c) Home Town Captain R. C. Sutliff, USN-Woodboro, Wisconsin. 4. Significant changes in function. (a) Mission of station. The mission of the Naval Air Station will be to provide full time support for one VP(AM) Squadron and scheduled NATS operations plus part time support for one CVG. 8. Changes in type and number of aircraft. (a) Complement of aircraft for NAS Kodiak established by CNO. (1) R4D-6 (1) JRF-5 (1) PBY-5A (1) J2F-6 U.S. NAVAL AIR STATION KODIAK, ALASKA 2. NARRATIVE FUNCTIONAL ACTIVITIES _____________________ On 1 April 1946 a message was received from the U.S. Coast Guard that at 011138 an earthquake and tidal wave hit the lighthouse at Scotch Cap killing all hands and completely destroying the buildings. The wave was reported as being between 90 and 100 feet high. At 1410V Lieut. J. E. Jenkins and Lieut. M. E. Fox, in a PBY-5A, Bu. No. 46626, took off from Kodiak with an aerologist aboard, to search for the tidal wave and note its direction, force and size. After a negative search, the plane re- turned to Base. Lieut. George Porter and Lt.(jg) Walter Green arrived at their home station, NAS Kodiak, on 4 April, ferrying a JRF-5, Bu. No. 34068 from NAS Attu. On the 8th of April a message was received from Sand Point, Alaska, that four persons were dead and several seriously ill, the cause believed to be diptheria. PBY-5A, Bu. No. 46626, with Lieut. J. E. Jenkins and Lieut. M. E. Fox as pilot and co-pilot, took off from NAS kodiak with a - 1 - 2. NARRATIVE doctor, nurse and corpsman. Approximately 400,000 units of tetanus anti-toxin were taken along by the doctor. Sand Point was closed in by weather and the plane proceeded to Anchorage. The doctor and his party were flown from Anchorage to Cold bay in an Army C-47. From Cold Bay to Sand Point the party was transported by a cannery vessel. After con- trolling the epidemic on 14 April the medical party was picked up by Lieut. Jenkins and Lieut. Porter in PBY-5A, BuNo. 46626, and returned to NAS Kodiak. On 14 April Lieut. J. E. Jenkins in a J4F-2, Bu.No. 32947, flew to Larson's Bay, Alaska, to transport an ill child to the Naval Air Stations for hospitalization. Commander W.F. Dawson, on the morning of 15 April, in the J4F-2, Bu.No. 32947, conducted a local search for a missing vehicle and party of four who left NOB Kodiak on Sunday, 14 April, for an excursion to Cape Chiniak. Results of the aerial search were negative. The party was later reported safe at the Cape Chiniak Coast Guard D/F/ Station. On 17 April 1946 Lieut. George Porter, and Lieut. M. E. Fox, in - 2 - 2. NARRATIVE PBY-5A, BuNo. 46626, were dispatched to Fort Glenn, Umnak, Alaska, to transport Commodore Nelsen and party to Dutch Harbor for a Joint Army-navy Investigation Board. On 22 April Lieut. George Porter and LTJG Walter Green in PBY-5A, Bu.No. 46626 were sent to Sand Point, Alaska, to transport a female employee of the Civil Aeronautics Association to Kodiak for an emergency appendectomy. On the first of May the Ground Control Approach Unit #5 was shipped from NAS Attu to NAS Kodiak. The Unit was set up on Runway 25 and test runs were made. The test runs were satisfactory. As all trained personnel in GCA were seperated from the naval service in the month of May, the GCA Unit was placed in storage awaiting a trained crew from Banana River, Florida, before being oficially commissioned. To date no personnel from NATTC, banana River, Florida, have arrived. On May 15 the decommissioning of the Sea Bee Port Battalion resulted in the Supply Department taking over the operation of the Cargo Pier and related activities. - 3 - 2. NARRATIVE On 26 May VP 122 commanded by Leo R. Jensen Commander USN returned to NAS Whidbey Island after completing a three month tour of duty at NAS Kodiak. Squadron VP 120 commanded by J. F. Litsey Lieut. Commander USN arrived for a three months tour of duty to provide relief for VP122. On the 29 May a war mobilization type warehouse located in the Bells Flat area, stored with electronics gear was totally destroyed by fire. On 6 June Admiral John A. Tower, Commander in Chief Pacific Fleet, and Vice Admiral Montgomery, Commander in Chief Pacific Ocean Areas, with a party of one Commodore and four Captains arrived at NAS Kodiak in an R50, Bu.No. 90390, Admiral Nimitz's plane during the Pacific war, from Seattle, Washington, for a tour of Alaskan and Aleutian areas. On the 9th of June Admiral Towers and Admiral Montgomery and party departed NAS Kodiak for NAS Hononlulu, the first plane to fly direct from Kodiak to the Hawaiian Islands. The flight time enroute was thirteen hours. On 18 June Captain R. C. Sutliff, USN, relieved Captain R. R. Lyons - 4 - 2. NARRATIVE USN, as Commander, NOB Kodiak, Commanding Officer, NAS Kodiak. On 23 June Lieut. M. E. Fox and LTJG H. E. Johansen, in PBY-5A BuNo. 46626, intercepted the S.S. Baranof, removing an ill passenger and transporting same to Kodiak. On the 24 June the PBY-5A Bu. No. 46626 assigned to NAS Kodiak, piloted by Lt. M. E. Fox, USN, crashed against a ramp in Womans Bay after completing a landing. The aircraft was damaged beyond a major overhaul and declared a strike. On the 26 June a men's dormitory of temporary construction on the station was destroyed by fire. The 1 july Lt. Commander R. M. Hoverman, USN, relieved Lt. (jg) D.A. Sears as N.A.S. Supply Officer. Ensign J. A. Kammerer (sc) USNR relieved Lt.(jg) L. F. jaffs (sc) as N.A.S. Disbursing Officer. The Ships Store was established as an independent activity under accounting number 61611. - 5 - 2. NARRATIVE On the 20 July Commander W. F. Dawson, USN, departed NAS Kodiak in a JRB Bu.No. 90534 assigned Com. 17, for disposition and delivery to N.A.S. Seattle. On the 23 July Lt. J. E. Jenkins departed NAS Kodiak in a JRF-5 Bu. No. 34068 assigned to NAS Kodiak, for disposition and delivery to N.A.S. Alameda. On the 4 August Lt. J. E. Jenkins, USN, arrived N.A.S. Kodiak in a JRF-5 Bu. No. 04354 assigned to N.A.S. Kodiak from NAS Seattle. Disposition and delivery of the aircraft. On the 8 August Lt. Commander C. E. Fisher, USN, relieved Commander R. E. Osborne as operations officer NAS Kodiak. On the 16 August Lt. M. E. Fox, USN, arrived NAS Kodiak in a PBY-5A B. No. 34032 assigned to NAS Kodiak, From NAS Seattle, for disposition and delivery. Commander W. F. Dawson, USN, in a JRF flew to Larsons Bay and picked up Mrs. B. Wilson who was suffering from a partial miscarriage - 6 - 2. NARRATIVE and returned her to Kodiak for medical treatment. On the 17 August the Marine Detachment organized a Land Search and Rescue Squad and commenced training the squad for their duties. The squad consists of one officer and nineteen enlisted men. Vice Admiral Lockwood, Inspector General of the Navy, and Rear Admiral Trexal arrived N.A.S. Kodiak via Nats to conduct an inspection of the Seventeenth Naval District. On 18 August Vice Admiral Lockwood and party inspected NAS Kodiak. On 19 August Vice Admiral Lockwood and party departed in the PBY-5A assigned to NAS Kodiak for N.A.F. Dutch harbor. Lt. M.E. Fox, USN, pilot of the PBY-5A, flew the inspection party to NAS Adak, NAF, Attu. On the 22 August the GCA Unit No. 5 crew, and Lt. Comdr. R.M.Cork, USN, O-C, reported aboard NAS Kodiak to recommission and operate the unit. Lt. Comdr. C. E. Fisher, USN, departed NAS Kodiak in a JRB-Bu.No. 85100 for NAS Alameda, for disposition and delivery of the aircraft. - 7 - 2. NARRATIVE On the 24 August Commander W. F. Dawson, USN, in a JRF-5 flew to Port O'Brien and picked up a man with a severe head injury. The weather prevented his return to the station field and he landed at Afognak with the patient and returned to NAS Kodiak Aug. 25. On the 31 August Lt. M. E. Fox, USN, returning to NAS Kodiak from NAF Dutch Harbor in a PBY was ordered to land at Chignik Bay and pick up a patient with appendicitus. Patient picked up by PBY and flown to Kodiak. On the 1 Sept. the Ships Store under Bu. Sand A was converted to a Ships Service Store under Bu. Pers. On the 2 Sept, Lt. M. E. Fox, USN, flew to Chignik Bay in a PBY and picked up a patient for hospitalization at Kodiak. On the 3 Sept. a dispatch was received from Karluk, Alaska requesting a plane to pick up a seriously injured man. Weather condition prevented a flight being sent. -8- 2. NARRATIVE On the 4 Sept.Lt. J. E. Jenkins flew to Afognak to pick up a seriously burned native. The man was burned from the explosion of a "5" shell which was found on the beach. An investigation revealed the ammunition was lost from an army barge during a storm in that area. CAP W.E. Miller, in a J2F, searched for a man overboard from a fishing boat near Kodiak. Results were negative due to fog in the search area. On the 5 Sept. the Supply Officer departed to Matanuska Valley, Palmer, Alaska, on a provision purchasing trip for purchase of fresh provisions to off set shortages caused by the shipping strike and lag in the reefer schedule. Via LSM 449, purchase of 50 tons of potatoes and 25 tons of miscellaneous fresh items was contracted and success- tully delivered. On the 6 Sept. Commander W. F. Dawson, USN, in a JRF flew to Afognak and picked up an insane fisherman. The man was placed in a strait jacket, returned to Kodiak, and turned over to Civil author- ities. - 9 - 2. NARRATIVE On the 9 Sept. the assumption of control of the Aleutian reefer service by the Army resulted in Kodiak being the last-port-of-dis- charge. Resulting deterioration in the quality of fresh produce has been self-evident. On the 12 Sept. Lt. J. E. Jenkins, USN, in a J2F-6, flew to Afognak and picked up a woman with a compound fracture of the leg and returned her to Kodiak. On the 27 September FASRON 114 was commissioned at N.A.S. Kodiak in accordance with dispatch orders from Commander Fleet Air Wing Four. Patsu 4-6, a detachment of Hedron, Fleet Air Wing Four, was concurrently, disestablished and the personnel of that unit were transferred to the new FASRON 114 for duty. The A&R hangar at NAS Kodiak, which was operated as a "Class A" maintenance facility during the war, was assigned to FASRON 114. The equipment and shops in the building were with a few exceptions, more than adequate for the establishment and operation of the FASRON as a "Class C" maintenance facility. - 10 - 2. NARRATIVE On the 7 October CAP W. E. Miller, USN, in a J2F-6, flew to Uyak Bay and picked up E. H. Stenwik who suffered a broken arm and returned him to Kodiak. On the 12 October notification was received the USS Mulberry and the USS YO212 which had departed Kodiak, on the 9 October had not arrived at Sand Point, Alaska. No communication or position reports had been received since ships departure. Lt. J. E. Jenkins, USN, and Lt. M. E. Fox, USN, departed in a PBY to search for the ships and were recalled after the two ships arrived Sand Point. On the 17 October, Ground Controlled Approach Unit # 5 was placed in commission. The call sign of the unit was established as "Bright Eyes" which had been used at NAF Attu. The efficiency of the unit was handicapped by inexperienced controllers and lack of experienced maintenance personnel. On the 20 October Search and Rescue facilities were alerted at NAS Kodiak, to search for two men lost on Shuyak Island, Kodiak. Details in appendix. On the 26 October Lt. J. E. Jenkins, USN, arrived NAS Kodiak from NAS Alameda in a JRF BU.NO. 6442 for disposition and delivery to NAS Adak. Arrived NAS Adak 29 October. - 11 - 2. NARRATIVE On the 27 October Lt. M. E. Fox, USN, departed NAS Kodiak in a PBY to pickup a stretcher patient at Sand Point, Alaska for hospital- ization at Kodiak. On the night of 6 November three marines were killed when a Marine Corps Carryall vehicle plunged off the Kodiak Road after being side swiped by a taxi and crashed down an 80o incline into the sea 200 feet below. On 7 November Captain H. E. List, MC, USN, relieved Captain E. F. Lowry, MC, USN, as senior Medical Officer for the Naval Air Station. On the 9 November, the SCS-51 Low approach Localizer was overturned during a williwaw wind, and was damaged beyond repair. A new unit was ordered from Adak and was placed in commission on 16 December. On the 9 November a request was received from the S.S. Oduna at Zachar Bay, for medical assistance, needed for a crewman who had been hemmorrhaging from the nose for three days. Lt. Commander Cork, - 12 - 2. NARRATIVE USN, departed in a JRF for Zachar Bay with a doctor and corpsman aboard. Blood plasma was administered the patient aboard the Oduna, the patient was then transferred to the plane, and re- turned to Kodiak for hospitalization. On the 15 November, and Army tug LT62 enroute Whittier, Alaska from Dutch harbor, Alaska, towing two barges, lost one barge, twenty miles off Seal Rock, Alaska and was last seen drifting toward Marmont Island of 13 November. A PB4Y piloted by Lt. Burris temporarily based at Kodiak in VP107 located the missing barge the 15 November at 048o approx. 60 miles from Kodiak. On the 16 November Lt. Commander Cork, USN, in a JRF took off to conduct a search to relocate the barge spotted the 15 November. Barge found at same location and search secured when Army Lt. 646 sighted barge. On 4 December HEAVY PATROL SQUADRON TWELVE under the command of - 13 - 2. NARRATIVE Commander Leo Roy Jensen, (81063) U.S.N. Des Moines, Iowa, relieved Heavy Patrol Squadron Seven at Kodiak, Alaska. Heavy Patrol Squadron Twelve on 4 December 1946 transferred nine (9) PB4Y-2 (aircraft) and all assigned personnel to the Naval Air Station, Kodiak, Alaska. The authority for this transfer was Commander Fleet Air Wing Four, Operational Plan 2-46. The Primary Mission for this Force is to maintain nine (9) PB4Y-2 (aircraft) in the Alaskan Sea Frontier Area at all times and to conduct such air reconnaissance as may be required. The Secondary Mission is to conduct training flights and exercises throughout the Area in order to thoroughly familiarize personnel with bases and operating conditions. On the 12 December a message was received from RDO Dutch Harbor that a native from Alitak was over due from a trip in a 25 foot boat to Sitkinak island. Lt. Commander C. E. Fisher, USN, in a JRF conducted an unsuccessful search for the missing man at Sitkinak Island. - 14 - 2. NARRATIVE On 16 December a Pacific and Northern Airliner, a DC3, undershot an approach to the station field, and crashed on the runway. Major damage was done to the aircraft but no injuries were sustained by the passengers or crew. From a Supply Department standpoint the period April 1 - Decem- ber 31, 1946 has been a period of liquidation of surplus stock, restorage of numerous warehouses to permit inventory, establishment of accounting procedures to facilitate allotment accounting, and of a continual search for personnel with experience enough to accomplish the above tasks. During the period of this report the public works department have completed the following projects toward station beautification and additional housing for dependents. (a) Interim Housing - Work on this project was started in April 1946, and to date forty-three units have been completed. (b) Landscaping - Preliminary work on this project was started in August 1946, and, aside fom lawns planted throughout the S.O.Q. area, trees have been made ready for Spring planting sufficient for ten acres. - 15 - 2. NARRATIVE (c) Sidewalks and Curbs - Work started in August 1946 and to date there have been laid 800 feet of curb and 700 feet of cement sidewalks. (d) Housing Betterment - Starting works in May 1946, there have been thirty-one units sompletely renovated throughout and painted white to cover thw war camouflage. The Operations Department was confronted with the usual de- mobilization personnel problems. Experienced aircraft maintenance personnel were being discharged without adequate replacements. The few replacements available were P.A.L.'s who were serving out their paroles in Alaska. They were not qualified in any respect to replace trained aviation rates. The effect of losing experienced rates was keenly felt in the operations department due to the high percentage of specialist and maintenance rates. The complement of aircraft aauthorized by CNO for NAS Kodiak is, (1) R4D-6, (1) PBY-5A, (1) JRF-5, and (1) J2F-6. An excess number of aircraft over the established complement were left on board until the end of October, and it was physically impossible to - 16 - 2. NARRATIVE carry out proper maintenance due to lack of personnel. The problem was solved by November due to transfer of the surplus aircraft to the War Assets Board, and to other Naval Activities. The month of November and December experienced aviation rates were assigned to NAS Kodiak and the complement is approaching a normal status. - 17 - U.S. NAVAL AIR STATION KODIAK, ALASKA 3. APPENDICES __________ 97. Biography data of Commanding Officer, NAS Kodiak. 98. Search and Rescue, Shuyak Island, Alaska. U.S. NAVAL AIR STATION KODIAK, ALASKA A-97 BIOGRAPHICAL DATA OF COMMANDING OFFICER (d) Capt. R. C. Sutliff, USN Born: 8 May 1902, Woodboro, Wisconsin. Father's Name: S. D. Sutliff Mother's Maiden Name: Nettie Wheelan Wife's Maiden Name: Virginia Hodgson U. S. Naval Academy, Class of 1924. A-97 Page 1 of 3 BIOGRAPHICAL DATA OF COMMANDING OFFICER Captain Sutliff's Naval career began with entrance into the Naval Academy, from which he graduated in 1924. Upon graduation he was assigned to the USS Arizona on which he served for one year. In June 1925 he was transferred to the USS Huron on the Asiatic Station, and was again transferred in August 1926 to the USS Palos, a Yangtze River (Training) Patrol Ship. In 1927 he was advanced to Lieutenant junior grade. He returned to the Continental United States in June 1928 for flight training at the Naval Air Station, Pensacola. In May 1929 he was graduated and assigned to flight duty on the USS Nevada. In 1931 he was returned to Pensacola as instructor where he remained until July 1932. In July 1932 he attended the post graduate school at Annapl\olis. During this time he was advanced to Lieutenant senior grads In September 1934 he entered Harvard University, studying Communica- tions Engineering. In 1935 he became Navigation, Engineering and Flight Officer of VP-5 aboard the USS Ranger. In 1936 his squadron was moved to the USS Lexington. he remained there until June 1937 when he became Officer in Charge of the Aircraft Radio Test Section at Naval Air Station at Anacostia. A-97 Page 2 of 3 BIOGRAPHICAL DATA OF COMMANDING OFFICER In November 1939 he became attached to the Bureau of Engineering (Navigation Dept.) in charge of Aircraft Radio Section. It was during this time that he was advanced to Lt. Comdr. In June 1940 he assumed command of VS Squadron 3, aboard the USS Saratoga. Served as Executive Officer of, Advanced Carrier Training Group, San Diego from August 1941 to November 1941. Ordered to the Bureau of Aeronautics, Navy Department, Washington, D. C. from November 1941 to September 1942. From September 1942 to october 1943 - Connection fitting out of the USS Lexington and on board as the Executive Officer. Served as Chief of Staff for Com. Car Div. 1 from October 1943 to March 1944. Commanding Officer of the USS Prince William from April 1944 to February 1945. Aviation Officer on the staff of Cinclant February 1945 to march 1946. Commanding Officer UAS Kodiak, Alaska from june 1946 to present date. A-97 Page 3 of 3 U. S. NAVAL AIR STATON A-98 KODIAK, ALASKA NA34/H2-10 95:CEF:nn From: NAS Operations Officer. To: Commander, Kodiak Sector. Subj: Search and Rescue, Shuyak Island, Alaska. Incident ________ On 20 October 1946 at 2314Z the following dispatch was received from the YMS-434. "Request airplane search for two men travelling overland direct from Port Williams to Point Banks on Shuyak Island x Men put ashore in Port Williams 24 hours ago x Searching party from ship covered about one third distance from Point Banks to Port Williams x No sign of men x Suggest plane stop Port Williams to check on time men left Bt 202130Z" Action - Narrative __________________ 20 October 1946. 0025Z. AJ2F airplane departed from the Naval Air Station to conduct an air search at Shuyak Island. 0216Z. The J2F search plane returned to Naval Air Station, Kodiak from air search at Shuyak with negative results. The search was hindered by rain squalls in center of Island. As requested the plane landed at Port Williams, but could obtain no further in- formation on the two men. Through communications with the YMS-434 ComKodSec obtained the information that the only equipment and supplies carried by the two men were rifles and a small amount of fruit. A land and air search was originated for the following day. The YMS- 434 was to put a three man search party ashore at Point Banks at daybreak. ComKodSec would furnish air assistance weather permitting. 21 October 1946. 1927Z. Two J2F aircraft departed Naval Air Station, Kodiak to assist in search at Shuyak Island. The first part of the morning search was hindered by low clouds over the Island. The highest point of land on Shuyak Island is 680'. Low clouds covered the highest points of land. A-98 Page 1 of 4 A-98 NA34/H2-10 95:CEF:nn Subj: Search and Rescue, Shuyak Island, Alaska. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - During the morning the weather improved to good ceiling and visibility which enabled the two planes to make a 100% cover- age of the Island. 2225Z. The two J2F's from the Naval Air Station, Kodiak returned from the morning search with negative results. Due to the rough terrain and wooded areas on Shuyak, the search party was not even located. 0015Z. The Naval Air Station PBY departed for Shuyak Island to conduct an air search. 0027Z. The J2F from the Naval Air Station departed for Shuyak. 0215Z. The J2F searching the northwest side of Shuyak Island spotted a man on the beach and directed the PBY to the scene. The PBY made a landing in a small bay at Shuyak Island. One of the crew members was put ashore in a rubber life raft and returned one of the missing men, Mr. Hamilton, a civilian CAA Engineer to the PBY. Mr. Hamilton was suffering from ex- posure, frost bitten feet, and a lacerated knee. He explained the two men had parted the day before when he was unable to travel due to his injured leg. The other party, G. S. Post, EM3c, enlisted man from the YMS-434, was in good physical con- dition and his intentions were to proceed to Point Banks for assistance. 22 October 1946. 1402Z. ComKodSec received the following dispatch from the YMS-434. "Missing Navy man found x Believed to be in good health x One man in search party left on peak posit 58-29 north 152-32.5W or peak posit 58-28.5N 152.30W x Ship will pro- ceed to Port Williams at daylight and send party to get man x Request plane fly over sand peaks to try to locate man x Rifle only equipment carried by man Bt 221340Z" 1850Z. J2F from the Naval Air Station departed for Shuyak to look for member of search party left on either of the two peaks indicated in the YMS-434 dispatch 221340. 2030Z. J2F from Naval Air Station returned with negative results. Pilot reported he searched all peaks. The search party from the YMS-434 was put ashore at Port Williams and proceeded to position where their missing member was left exhausted. A-98 Page 2 of 4 A-98 NA34/H2-10 95:CEF:nn Subj: Search and Rescue, Shuyak Island, Alaska. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 2359Z. ComKodSec requested if additional search or medical assistance was needed by the YMS-434 at Port Williams. YMS-434 also no- tified weather unfavorable for air search. 0215Z. YMS-434 notified ComKodSec they were expecting the return of their search party and no assistance was needed. 23 October 1946. 0534Z. ComKodSec received the following dispatch from the YSM-434 in regards to the missing member of the search party. "Situation regards to lost member of searching party acute x Insufficient able bodied men on board to form searching party x Request immediate assistance in form of land search- ing party x Wind force 30 knots direction 090" 1903Z. The PBY from the naval Air Station departed for Port Williams, Shuyak Island with a search party consisting of five marine en- listed men and one marine officer. 2052Z. The PBY was unable to land the marine search party at Port Williams due to weather conditions and returned to NAS Kodiak. This search party was put aboard the motor vessel EIDER owned by the Fish and Wild Life Service for transportation to Port Williams, Shuyak Island. 0125Z. The PBY from the Naval Air Station, Kodiak departed for Shuyak Island with a second marine search party. This party consisted of four marine enlisted men and one marine officer. 0210Z. The PBY made a water landing in the Shuyak Straits where the search party was put ashore at Port Williams in a seven man rubber life raft. The Navy man, Post EM3c, who was found by the search party of 21 October was taken off the YMS-434 and taken aboard the PBY and re- turned to Naval Air Station, Kodiak for hospitalization. 24 October 1946. 2350Z. Marine search party aboard the motor ship EIDER put ashore Port Williams, Shuyak Island. 25 October 1946. 1815Z. JRF departed from the Naval Air Station, Kodiak and conducted an air search of Shuyak Island. Marine search party requested the air search concentrate on the East side of the Island and on the beach areas. Air search negative results. A - 98 page 3 Of4 A-98 NA34/H2-10 95:CEF:nn Subj: Search and Rescue, Shuyak Island, Alaska. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 2400Z. Marine search party aboard the EIDER put ashore at Port Williams, Shuyak Island. 26 October 1946. 1915Z. JRF departed Naval Air Station, Kodiak and conducted an air search of the West and South portion of Shuyak Island. Peak areas where missing man lost reported search thoroughly and all beach areas of Island covered. Air search negative results. This was the final air search over Shuyak Island. Communications. ________________ Established Search and Rescue radio frequencies were not used during this mission. The YMS-434 the only ship at the scene of action during the entire search was limited to 2716 kcs, because there was not a qualified radioman aboard to change frequencies. Satisfactory communications were established between NHB and the YMS-434. All search aircraft used in the search except the PBY were unable to have direct communication with the YMS-434 on 2716 kcs. due to limitations of the radio gear. C. E. FISHER, LCDR., USN NAS Operations Officer. A-98 Page 4 of 4