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VH-3 was one of six dedicated VH rescue squadrons of the U.S. Navy during WW II. Prior to their creation, the rescue function was performed as an additional "spur of the moment" duty by regularly operating patrol squadrons. The Fleet Commanders made clear "that the men who risked their lives to rocket, bomb, and strafe the enemy wherever and whenever possible, should under no circumstances, be left to fend for themselves when disaster struck them." After the war the Japanese related that they could not understand why so much was risked to save airmen. This was a tremendous morale builder for the flyers, but there was a cold calculated logic behind this as well. It meant that very expensively trained and experienced aviators could be rescued from a watery grave or brutal captivity and put back into the fight. American aircrews captured after being shot down over the Japanese home islands faced a grim fate. VH-3 squadron members related "how intense, intense every crew member became .. over this business of saving lives", "the marvelous feeling of reward when saving a downed pilot's life", and "nose-thumbing at the Japanese military .. when we swiped near-prisoners under their eye".
VH-1 was one of six dedicated (VH) Rescue Squadrons of the U.S. Navy during WWII. VH-1 made 19 direct rescues via open sea landings. It also assisted in the rescue of another 119 air crewman by locating them and directing surface vessels to effect the rescue. VH-1 was established on 1 February 1944 and disestablished in April 1946. The squadron employed the Consolidated PB2Y Coronado and the Martin PBM Mariner during its operations.
VH-4 was one of six dedicated (VH) rescue squadrons of the U.S. Navy during World War II. VH-4 made 42 rescues of downed aviators, nine rescues of Filipino civilians and assisted in the rescue of another aviator. VH-4 was established in September 1944 and disestablished in November1946. The squadron employed the Martin PBM Mariner during its operations.
VH-2 was one of six dedicated Rescue Squadrons of the U.S. Navy during World War II. VH-2 was established in August 1944 and disestablished in November 1945. Unlike the other VH squadrons, VH-2 mostly employed the PB2B Catalina during its wartime operations. Late in the war, the PB2B Catalina was no longer used for open sea rescues, since it had proven less rugged in the open sea than its successor the Martin PBM Mariner. Thus VH-2's primary mission was to "spot" survivors in the water and direct other craft to the site to effect the rescue. On at least two occasions, VH-2 did effect rescues with open sea landings. VH-2 was credited with the initial spotting, direct rescue, or assistance in the rescue of 96 downed bomber crewman. After the war, they were assigned the Martin PBM Mariner.
VH-5 was one of six dedicated Rescue Squadrons of the U.S. Navy during WWII. A more comprehensive write-up on the VH squadrons can be found in the history of Rescue Squadron 3 (VH-3), which was the US Navy's most active VH squadron. VH-5 rescued 8 air crewman, assisted in the rescue another 2 aviators, and assisted in the capture of 4 Japanese adrift on a raft. VH-5 was established in September 1944 and disestablished in June 1946. The squadron employed the Martin PBM Mariner during its operations.
RADM Edward Cobb Outlaw was a naval aviator, flying ace, ship's captain and fleet commander of the United States Navy. Outlaw first served as commanding officer of Fighting Squadron 32 (VF-32) aboard the light carrier USS Langley during World War II. He was awarded the Navy Cross for a mission with this squadron in which he shot down five Japanese planes, making him an ace in a day.
References
- ↑ Gintner, Steve (2013). Martin PBM Mariner (Naval Fighters Number 97). Simi Valley, Ca: Steve Gintner, First Edition. p. 146. ISBN 0989258327.
- ↑ "Page 12 WWII War Diaries" , Fold3, retrieved 2017-01-26
- ↑ "Page 16 WWII War Diaries" , Fold3, retrieved 2017-01-23
- ↑ "Page 60 WWII War Diaries" , Fold3, retrieved 2017-01-26
- ↑ "Page 15 WWII War Diaries" , Fold3, retrieved 2017-01-26
| Electronic Attack (VAQ) | |||||
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| Carrier Airborne Early Warning (VAW) | |||||
| Strike Fighter (VFA) | |||||
| Fleet Air Reconnaissance (VQ) | |||||
| Fleet Fighter Composite (VFC) | |||||
| Fleet Logistics Support (VR) | |||||
| Carrier Fleet Logistics Support (VRC) | |||||
| Carrier Fleet Logistics Multi-Mission (VRM) | |||||
| Patrol |
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| Unmanned (VUP) | |||||
| Training (VT) | |||||
| Helicopter Mine Countermeasures (HM) | |||||
| Helicopter Sea Combat (HSC) | |||||
| Helicopter Maritime Strike (HSM) | |||||
| Helicopter Training (HT) | |||||
