VP-71 Squadron (WWII)
ActiveJuly 1941 - November 1946
Disbanded1945 (renamed, disbanded as VP-24 in 1995)
CountryUnited States
BranchNavy
TypeAmphibious Patrol Bomber
Part ofFAW-2, FAW-1, FAW-17
Garrison/HQPearl Harbor, Hawaii
Nickname(s)"Black Cats" (1944-1945)
EngagementsPacific
DecorationsPUC 15Aug1943-19Mar1944, 6Nov1944-7Jun1945
Aircraft flown
BomberPBY Catalina

The U.S. Navy Patrol (VP) 71 saw action flying the amphibious PBY Catalina before and during WWII in the Pacific Theater of Operations. About half of this Squadron was re-assigned to VPB-104 flying B-24 Liberator land-based bombers on 1 October 1944. [1]

History

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CHANGE - The squadron was established April 10, 1943 at NAS Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii flying the four-engine PB4Y-1 Liberator with personnel from the VP-71 Squadron[2] who had been flying a similar mission in the two-engine amphibious PBY Catalina. Flight operations began immediately and were eventually conducted from bases including Midway, Canton, Johnston Atoll, Guadalcanal, Munda, Morotai, Tacloban, and Clark Field.

CHANGE IN INFO BOX? - Commander Harry E. Sears was awarded the Navy Cross for heroic actions while leading the new squadron in the destruction of several enemy aircraft and ships. The squadron was relieved by VB-115 on 29 March 1944, and returned to the U.S. for rest and rehabilitation. By then the squadron was credited with destruction of 30 enemy aircraft and 51 ships, with 1,252 sorties flown in seven months. By Nov 1943 they also began flying some missions detecting enemy radar installations with specially-equipped Liberators for Lt. Lawrence Heron of the "Cast Mike" team, inspired by what became "Section 22" using the similar USAF B-24 "Ferret" aircraft. [3]


 
Navy markings
 
PB4Y-1 Liberator

References

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  1. ^ http://www.history.navy.mil/avh-vol2/chap3-5.pdf !!CHANGE TO CORRECT DOCUMENT REF!! U.S. Navy Dictionary of American Naval Aviation Squadrons, Volume 2, page 152 (VP-24, PDF page 20)
  2. ^ http://www.history.navy.mil/avh-vol2/chap3-7.pdf U.S. Navy Dictionary of American Naval Aviation Squadrons, Volume 2, page 212 (VP-33, PDF page 15)
  3. ^ http://www.coldwar.org/Histories/HistoryofUSNavyFleetAirReconnaissance.htm The Cold War Museum, A History of US Navy Fleet Air Reconnaissance, Launch, Capt. Don C. East, USN

Bibliography

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Three references cited at http://www.history.navy.mil/biblio/biblio2/biblio2i.htm:
Cruise Books of the United States Navy in World War II - A Bibliography
NAVAL HISTORY BIBLIOGRAPHIES, NO. 2

DEPARTMENT OF THE NAVY -- NAVAL HISTORICAL CENTER
805 KIDDER BREESE SE -- WASHINGTON NAVY YARD
WASHINGTON DC 20374-5060

  • Buccaneers of Bombing Squadron 104: The Story of Its First Tour, 10 April 1943-15 April 1944. Anon. Wichita: McCormick-Armstrong Co., 1944. 38 leaves, 28 cm, photos, ports. Dornbusch 1950: 1061. No known copy location.
  • The Second Tour of Patrol Bombing Squadron 104, 1 June 1944-1 June 1945 (cover). Anon. N.p., [1945?]. 26 leaves, cover shows a four-engine plane flying over a map of the Pacific Ocean with title in black, 26.5 x 19.5 cm, photos, ports., roster. Dornbusch 1950: 1062. PNAM (photocopy).
  • Short History of Patrol Bombing Squadron 104 on Its Third Tour, June 1945-October 1945. Anon. Baltimore: Schneidereith, [1945?]. 24 leaves. Controvich 1992. No known copy location.
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See also

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Image Galleries (click below)

Category:United States Navy squadrons Category:Military units and formations of the United States in World War II Category:United States Navy in World War II Category:Air units of the United States Navy Category:United States bomber aircraft 1940-1949 Category:World War II American bombers Category:Consolidated aircraft Category:Seaplanes and flying boats Category:United States patrol aircraft 1930-1939 Category:United States patrol aircraft 1940-1949 Category:World War II patrol aircraft of the United States