Chandeleur (AV 10) - Naval Cruise Book

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1 ' AIR DEPARTMENT— f ' «» Row, loft to right-OLSEN, V. B., AMM2c; RAJALA, S. M., AMMIc; ROBBINS, H. C, AMMU; PUTERBAUGH, W. M., AMMlc; DAHL, P. A., AMMU; BUHL, M. L, AMMPU; SHANNON, C. K,. AMMlc; CIRCLE, D. E., AOMlc; Ch. Elect. B. V. VOIGHT; LT. (jg) T. I. TR AFFORD, LT. (jg) S. (n) CAMPBELL; DAVIS, H. G., AEMlc; SCHIMKE, E. E., AMMlc; HICKMAN, J. W., AMMlc; CURTIS, W. W., AMMlc; CRAWFORD, F. N., ARMlc; GALE, K. E., AMMlc; BELLAN, D. A., AMM3c. Second Row-SENGER, J. P., Sic; lOHMAN, C. T., AOMlc; VENABLE, I. C, AMM2c; LAWLER, F. E., AOM3c; HENDRIX, H. H., AOM3c; SHARP, J. W., AMM3c; ARTHUR, R. E., ARMlc; BERGEN, J. A., AM3c; LE BLANC, W. F., AMM3c; SAPP, E. C, AOMlc; FELLOWS, J. H., ACMM; TUNKS, F. D., ACRT; BORDEN, D. C, AEM2c; FITZPATRICK, R. J., AEMlc; WEL- DON, P., AMMI3c; SCHIRALLl, V., Y3c; MECKE, R. J., AMM3c; HILL, E. B., AMM2c; LUBY, A., AMM2c; BIKOWSKI, T., AMM3c; MOSER, J. W., ART2c. Third Row-O ' BRIEN, T. T., AOM2c; ROBINSON, J. G , AMM2c; BERK- IINE, R. J., AMM2c; GIBBONS, G., AMM3c; HENNES, J. H., AOM3c; SAMS, O. L., AMM3c; DYE, J. C, ACMM; ARNOTT, H. L., ACM; LONG, A. I., ACMM; ROOSEVELT, F. C, ACMM; SMITH, J. J., ACOM; OUTLAW, F. C, AMM2c; WELCH, R. L., S2c; ISMAN, P. L., Sic; LEVASSEUR, S2c; MEARS, W. R., S2c; MILLER, R. O., AMM2c; COLEMAN, G. R., AMM2c; BEEMAN, H. N., PR3c. Fourth Row-mass, G., S2c; DIEMERT, J. W., AM2c; ROMICK, J. A., ARM3c; SMITH, J. E., ARM2c; SCHALLER, A., AM3c; DORMAN, L. A., AMM3c; DIETREICH, T. M., AMM2c; SCOTT, C. H., AMMP3c; ESTRADA, R. A., Cox; DIOSZEGHY, V., AMM2c; TAYLOR, S. E., AMM3c; VERDUGO, J. B., Sic; SURLES, G., AOM2c; JOHNSON, R. 1., S2c; CARLSON, A. F., AMM3c; HIGGINS, E. A., AM2c; DIXON, J. R., AM3c. Fifth Row-LIMBAUGH, J. C, AOMT2c; MINA, A. F., AFClc; PERINI, U. J., AMM3c; FRITZ, O. W., AMMC3c; GRODE, W. M., AMM2c; NICHEL- SON, C. E., AM3c; WAGMAN, H. N., ARTlc; MATTHIS, D. B., ARTlc HERMANSON, E. A., AMMH3c; MADOLE, R. L., AMM2c; FRAN, R., AM3c HARRIS, O. G., AMM3c; LEE, C. V., AM3c; BOZOWSKl, A. (n), AEM3c, KALTE, E. F., Sic. Sixth Row-COLLINS, C. W., Sic; RILEY, W. B., AMM3c; CANTU, S. G., AMM3c; CLINE, W. B., Sic; DE NIRO, F. J., AM3c; SELL, L. F., Sic; SANISLO, R. E., AM3c; POWELL, G. E., AMM3c; LA VALLEE, W. P., AMM3c; McGEE, T. R., AMM3c; NORDMAN, F. G., AMM3c.

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AIR DEPARTMENT The activities of the Air Department, or V Division, directly reflect the purpose for which the ship was designed. However, without the co- operation of the other Divisions on board the Air Department would not have been able to exert to the fullest the facilities and equipment on board. Cooperation and assistance is essential where aircraft maintenance is con- ducted solely on the water. Throughout 1943 and the early part of 1944 the activity of the CHAN- DELEUR as a seaplane tender was very sporadic. However, during this period, for brief intervals, the ship did support VP-14 and VP-71 in con- ducting bombing, search and Dumbo missions during the SOLOMON IS- LANDS CAMPAIGN. It may be interesting to note that at APIA, SAMOA, on 14 February 1943, long before PBM ' s were commonly in use by the Navy, in the Pacific Theater, the CHANDELEUR hoisted aboard a dam- aged PBM-3R. The ship sailed — on this present cruise — on 18 May 1944 with a PBM Aircraft Maintenance Unit of 200 men— most of whom were totally un-

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1 I ii known to one another. However, time proved that a fine group of person- able and technically well-founded men had been assembled. During the present cruise (18 months) aircraft maintenance was car- ried on in spite of many odds — not without a strain — but it was carried on. The most consistent hazard was foul weather when, at times, the men had to work with one hand and hang on to the plane with the other. Frequent General Quarters interrupted the maintenance work while the men took time out to duck. However, in spite of everything, schedules were met and our squadrons did more than their share in the sinking of enemy shipping and availability to meet their schedule. During our entire period of operation 2075 patrols were made and only one patrol was missed due to maintenance difficulties. To offset this laxity, on a number of occasions we assisted other squadrons who did not have the availability to meet their schedule. The officers of the Air Department have been proud to serve with such an outstanding group of men. Good luck to you all ! !