U.S. NAVAL AIR STATION KODIAK, ALASKA NA34/A12 95:CEF:nn Serial: 622 MAY 13 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 January to to 31 March 1947, 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 January 1947 to 31 March 1947 (2 copies). 1. In accordance with reference (a), (b), and (c), enclosure (A) is submitted herewith. R. C. SUTLIFF U.S. NAVAL AIR STATION KODIAK, ALASKA IN TWO PARTS 2. Narrative 3. Appendices Four copies submitted 31 March 1947 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 2. NARRATIVE FUNCTIONAL ACTIVITIES _____________________ Operations throughout this period were hampered by a severe winter to be long remembered because of some of its conspicuous firsts, the lowest officially recorded temperatures in the history of Kodiak, and the freez- ing over of the entrance channel, harbor and seaplane area for the first time in 50 years. Only by constant use of an ice-breaking patrol was the NOB Operations Department able to keep the harbor open for ship arrivals and departures; however, it was necessary to station the crash boat at the town of Kodiak six miles distant when the harbor froze to a depth of 18 inches. During this period a large percentage of available manpower and effort in the Public Works Dept. was directed toward the maintenance of utilities services as the prolonged and intense cold spell caused the freezing of both water and sewer lines. Even the thaw that followed caused consternation and damage. The ice broke and moved with such voracity from the Buskin River that it severely damaged two bridges and finally broke a communications cable across the river, severing several connections to the CAA Range - 1 - 2. NARRATIVE Station on Woody Island. For a long period it was necessary for the NAS Control Tower to transact all business with the range station via radio until the cable-break could be discovered and repaired. On 1 January Commander W. F. Dawson in a PBY-5A, V4032 flew to Chignik Bay to transport a sick child to the Naval Air Station for hospitalization. On 6 January upon receiving information from a naval vessel that Akutan Volcano on Akutan Island was active with hot lava running down the mountain sides, a PB4Y-2 was dispatched to the scene from Kodiak. This information was sent to the press and resulted in widespread publicity when added to the photographs taken from the PB4Y-2. On 17 January Search and Rescue facilities were alerted at NAS Kodiak when information was received a sailor and a native boy be- lieved lost on a hunting trip in the Litnik Bay area of Afognak Island. Report of incident in appendix. On 20 January 1947, Lt. M. E. Fox, USN in a PBY-5A, made an air search of the land area near Big Lake and Pillar Mountain for a missing soldier, Larry Brown, Sgt. T-4, stationed at Fort Greely. - 2 - 2. NARRATIVE Aircraft was recalled from search upon notification the body of Sgt. Brown found by a land searching party. On the 29 January 1947, Lt. M.E. Fox, USN, in a PBY-5A conducted an air search of the Wide Bay Area, on the Alaskan Penninsula, for two missing trappers who were overdue at Kodiak from a trapping trip. No signs or evidence of the trappers could be found. On 2 February the SS Alaska radioed that she was on the rocks in Orca Bay. The vessel was able to make dock at Cordova but continued to settle as her pumps were unable to handle the inflow of water. Lt. M. E. Fox in PBY-5A, V-4032 flew to Cordova with Lt.(jg) E.J. Kratochvil, Com17 Salvage Officer, and a party of divers aboard. They succeeded in making repairs on the Alaska and she was able to get underway for Seattle on 12 February. With the addition of new men bringing the GCA unit up to full complement it went on a 24 hour operational standby status as of the 20 February. On February 27, VP(HL) 12 dispatched a PB4Y-2 to aid in the search for a missing B-29 that was last heard from over the Alaskan Penninsula. The PB4Y-2 searched the area around Kenai and returned without success. - 3 - 2. NARRATIVE On 28 February another PB4Y-2 was sent out to search for the missing B-29 in the area around Iliamna but returned without success. The missing plane has not been found to date. On 7 March, VP(HL)-10 commanded by LCDR W. A. Swenson, USN, relieved VP(HL)-12 commanded by Commander L. R. Jensen, USN,for a three month tour of duty at NAS Kodiak. VP(HL)-12 returned to NAS Whidbey Island, Washington. On 30 March, 1947, Lt. M. E. Fox, USN, in a PBY-5A conducted an air search of Chirikof Island to check reports that trappers from Kodiak, previously searched for in the Wide Bay area may have been stranded on Chirikof Island. Results of search unsuccessful. - 4 - U.S. NAVAL AIR STATION KODIAK, ALASKA 3. APPENDICES __________ 99. Search and Rescue, Afognak Island, Alaska. A-99 Page 1 of 1 NA34/H2-10 U. S. NAVAL AIR STATION 95:CEF:mwh KODIAK, ALASKA Serial: From: Commander, Kodiak Sector To: Commander, Alaskan Sea Frontier. Subj: Search and Rescue, Afognak Island, Alaska. Incident ________ On 17 January 1947 at 1919Z the following dispatch was received from F. W. Stuhr CBM, Naval Unit, Afognak Island. "Sullivan S1c mising since Monday when he went hunting in the Bay area. Have been searching since Monday night. Found his hat and gas can washed upon the Beach. Details later Bt 1917Z." The above dispatch was the first information received in regards to any missing Navy personnel at Afognak Island. Action - Narrative __________________ Responsible suthorities wee notified and preparations were made for a marine search party. The party to consist of 5 enlisted and 1 Marine Officer. The YMS-434 received orders to transport search party to Afognak and to standby to assist in operations. 0520Z. Upon arrival of the YMS-434 at Afognak Bay, the following additional information was received via dispatch. "12 natives 4 Navy men with 3 small boats have conducted 4 day search for Sullivan and missing native boy x They have covered Afognak Bay from Aleut village latitude 58-01 North longitude 152-42.7 West including Beach area and 1 mile inland x positive identification made of parts of missing outboard motor boat and per- sonnel effects of Sullivan including hat, tobacco pouch, and blanket washed ashore in vicinity latitude 58-04 North longitude 152-46.2 x will conduct further search of Bay and Beach area x ice film on Bay x recommend Air Search of Beach area". A-99 Page 1 of 4 NA34/H2-10 95:CEF:mwh Serial: Subj: Search and Rescue, Afognak Island, Alaska. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 18 January 1947. Aircraft at NAS Kodiak were standing by to assist in an Air Search at Afognak. Due to heavy snow an air search was impracticable at the present time. At 2054Z the following dispatch was received from the YMS-434 giving weather data and additional information on the search. "Nwly winds 10 to 15 knots vis 1 mile ceil 200 feet x expect to remain anchored Afognak bay overnight x will forward progress report 1600 Zone Time x search parties are now ashore". 0523Z. The next report from the search party gave further evidence of catastrophe befalling the missing men. A small boat search and YMS sweep uncovered a gas can, floor boards, life preserver and an oar. An Air Search was still impossible due to poor visibility, snow, and fog. 19 January 1947. 2115Z. A Naval Air Station JRF-5 departed for Afognak to conduct an Air Search of the Bay area. 0030Z. The JRF-5 returned to NAS Kodiak. Results of the Air Search were negative. An exhaustive search was still being carried out by the Marine search party with the aid of local natives, and fisherman. At 0310Z the following dispatch was received from the YMS-434. "Searched East Beach area where gear had previously washed up x conducted small boat search x results negative x have enlisted aid of local fisherman familiar with currentsfor tomorrow's search x have all evidence in my possession x have statements of all Naval personnel and next of kin of missing native boy x Victor Lukin age 21 is missing native x plan to search and drag Bay area from last point to Posliedni Point tomorrow x recommend air search of that area x also recommend that Skipwith Reef area mouth Afognak Bay be Page 2 of 4 NA34/H2-10 CEF:mwh Subj: Search and Rescue, Afognak Island, Alaska. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - air searched for missing boat x recommend air search be made at low tide:. 20 January 1947. 1939Z. A Naval Air Station JRF departed for Afognak to search the area previously recommended. This search was hindered by low ceiling, poor visibility, and snow. 2041Z. The NAS JRF returned to Kodiak due to the poor weather conditions, results of the Air Search were negative. Searching of the Beach area was continued during the day, and five fishermen with two boats dragged the Bay area. One glove of the type worn by one of the missing men was found on beach near the spot where other gear had previously been found. At this point the search parties were convinced the men had drowned. Dragging and searching the Bay area would be con- tinued the next day. 21 January 1947. 0243Z. The following message was received from the Officer-in-charge of the search party. "Small boat and beach search made x wool cap similar to that worn by missing native found on beach x local fisherman be- lieved bodies will remain submerged for 2 months x recommend permanent personnel be ordered to patrol beach area daily until such time bodies are recovered or search abandoned x request permission to secure search". Conclusions ___________ Upon receipt of the above dispatch, and after all hope for the missing men had been abandoned, orders were issued to secure the search upon the assumption that the missing men met death by drowning. Communications ______________ Established search and rescue frequencies were not used during this mission. Satisfactory communications wee carried on between NHB and the YMS-434. Page 3 of 4 NA34/H2-10 95:CEF:mwh Subj: Search and Rescue, Afognak Island, Alaska. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - The JRF aircraft used in the search was unable to have direct communications with the YMS-434 due to limitations of radio equipment in the JRF. Page 4 of 4