Bataan (CVL 29) - Naval Cruise Book

Page 32 text:

Captain John P. Thomas, USMCR, while engaged in a strike over Korea had his oil line punctured by enemy fire. The oil splashes completely covered his ind- shield, making it almost impossible for him to see well enough to land. He notified paddles of his situation, and was talked in by radio. Captain Thomas makes deck contact, then veers sharply to the left wiping out the portside barrier stanchions. The plane plunges off the flight deck, hang- ing on the catwalk for what seems an eternity. As the plane hits the water, Cap- tain Thomas frees himself of the cockpit just before the aircraft sinks. He was rescued within four minutes by the ever-present whirlybird Clementine.

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FLIGHT OPERATIONS