~The Green Island Connection~
 

Fellow Travelers US-NZ Navy-Marines-Army-Coast Guard The Reduction and Redemption of Rabaul  . .

It never caught the public imagination like Midway or Iwo Jima. But the tiny Green Island atoll just below the equator in the South Pacific was a busy crossroads of WWII. Its bases and guestbooks boasted such names as Lindbergh, Nixon, Hope, Bush, Kennedy, Benny. Most of its residents, however, were Toms, Dicks, and Harrys - with a couple of Janes.

The capture of the Green Islands (OPERATION SQUAREPEG) was carried out largely by New Zealand Infantry troops on February 15, 1944. US Navy Seabees rapidly plowed essential roads and leveled two airstrips on the main island: Nissan. US and NZ Marine and Navy fighter and bomber squadrons began moving in. Across the lagoon where Catalina "Black Cats" were bobbing around their tender ship, PT squadrons set up camp on Barahun Island. The US Army and New Zealanders manned anti-aircraft stations at the northern and southern ends of Nissan. Within weeks, the atoll’s narrow perimeter was home to 17,000 New Zealand and US troops.

Supplying the needs of this hungry, gas-guzzling, construction and fighting boom was a stream of troop and supply ships; the Cassiopeia, Harper, Talbot, Unicoi and others who often rendezvoused with smaller transports to convey their wares through the shallow channel and across the lagoon to the unloading beaches.

The occupation of this fragile atoll boasted a major strategic difference from its more famous landmarks. Enormous Japanese garrisons of planes and boats, including Rabaul, occupied neighboring islands. Capturing them would cost untold lives and time. Could Allied air and sea power just shut down supply lines and disable this Japanese war machine? The main force of the war could then by-pass and press northward to liberate the Philippines. The strategy was successful and spared tens of thousands of Japanese and Allied lives. Thus the 93rd Seabees paved a road for saving lives and speeding the end of the war.

The Diary of Bob Conner of the 93rd Seabees, the original basis for this website, is a daily chronicle of his life on Nissan. His letters and footnotes, illustrations and photos, and the few memoirs and photos we have of his comrades add to the picture. It is a rare picture, because Seabees rarely considered their creation of roads, airports, docks, hospitals, and living quarters for thousands exceptional. Many were veterans of the massive WPA and skyscraper building projects of the 1920s and 30s. They came home at war’s end to their children and grandchildren and to continue their demanding construction work, creating the vast post war metropolitan areas.

So most of the stories of the Green Islands are told by those who launched their boats and planes for combat from the Seabees’ air strips and ports. They returned to eat and sleep in tent cities and Quonset huts the Seabees erected, and relaxed at Seabee-developed ballfields and theatres. And perhaps somewhere in their photos or cruise book is a signature photo of the Owl Drugstore at Hollywood and Vine; a route sign indicates [ U.S. 93 n.c.b.]. They lived in the city the Seabees built.

The 93rd Seabees welcome all our fellow travelers; their stories are our story. We especially hail our New Zealand comrades; their strategic and fighting skills earned them our lasting respect. Their leadership and collaboration were exemplary. We are honored to have a number of personal accounts of the war and post war years that originate on our site. They are highlighted with photos.

On the periphery of the Green Island military activity huddled the native population with centuries of history and traditions. When the Allies landed, most of the natives were evacuated to Guadalcanal for medical care. They were repatriated at the war’s end. The lives of all, however, were changed forever by their contact with the Allied troops and by the air strips, ammunition, and fuel abandoned at the end of the war. The Seabees’ airport still serves them under the International code IIS. The ammunition fueled a war of their own. Their story continues today, with new lessons in nation building and peacemaking.

Green Islands WWII Timeline Navy short course in Pidgin (from Bob Conner) Nissan/Nehan: 1945-the present

WWII in the Green Islands

I. In Memoriam

II. Strategy, Reconnaissance, Capture, Maps, and overviews

III. New Zealand Administration, 2nd and 3rd Divisions

IV. United States Administrative units, Navy, Marines, Army

 

‡ In Memoriam: The Green Islands Cemetery

MAPS

93rd NCB Map of Green Islands Base: April 1944	Extrardinarily detailed map of east Nissan, provided by Carol Marsh, Seabee Historian, Huemene, and displayed for us on his NZ 3rd Division website by New Zealand historian Warwick Hughes
MAPS and ARIAL VIEWS: from Bob Conner, 93rd Seabees, CBMU 553, VMSB 341, VMBs 423 and 433, AAF-13 Code map and letters: Bob Conner, 93rd Seabees

Overviews

‡Green Island in WWII, 6th Edition by Milton Bush, Jr. Broad account of the Green Islands in WWII

Hyperwar is a growing collection of original and official accounts of WWII,  organised by country and branch of service. Specific islands, outfits, and campaigns are best located through external search engines.
http://www.ibiblio.org/hyperwar/

A wealth of Navy, PBY, and Green Island lore; site has good search engine
http://www.vpnavy.org

Official History of New Zealand in the Second World War: NZ Electronic Text Centre. p.168-200
http://www.nzetc.org/etexts/WH2Paci/index.html

SW Pacific World War II Timeline 1941-1944
www.au.geocities.com/third_div/time.html

OPERATION SQUAREPEG: CAPTURE OF THE GREEN ISLANDS

PRELIMINARY RECONNAISSANCE mission: jan.10-11: pt 176, pt 184
Reconnaissance Mission: Jan. 31-Feb. 1, 1944; 
Landing Day: Feb. 15, 1944

PT Preliminary Reconnaissance: January 10-11
Determines depth of channel for later reconnaissance and location for PT base away from general landing
http://www.ibiblio.org/hyperwar/USN/CloseQuarters/PT-3.html
 

New Zealand accounts of the Green Islands reconnaissance and landing  

Warwick Hughes' Website for the 3rd NZ Division
http://au.geocities.com/third_div/

Extraordinary detailed account of the reconnoitering, landing, and work in the Green Islands
http://www.nzetc.org/etexts/WH2Paci/index.html
www.mcghiegen.orcon.net.nz/time_41-44.htm
www.paul.rutgers.edu/~mcgrew/wwii/usaf/html/Feb.44.html

United States accounts of the Green Islands reconnaissance and landing

History of U.S. Marine Corps Operations in World War II, Volume II: Isolation of Rabaul by Henry I. Shaw, Jr. and Major Douglas T. Kane, USMC. Historical Branch, G-3 Division, Headquarters, U.S. Marine Corps 1963: Seizure of the Green Island
http://www.ibiblio.org/hyperwar/USMC/II/ __

TOP OF THE LADDER: Marine Operations in the Northern Solomons (Epilogue) by Captain John C. Chapin, USMCR (Ret) (notes 93rd NCB)
http://www.nps.gov/archive/wapa/indepth/extcontent/usmc/pcn-190-003141-00/sec11.htm

Mission and Organization of Naval Aviation
www.multied.com/navy/Reports/Naval%20Aviation%20WWII/ OffensiveDef5.html

US Navy: Offensive-Defensive: Guadalcanal to Bougainville
www.wrc.chinalake.navy.mil/warfighter_enc/History/ BattlesacWWII/Summarys/guadboug.htm    

US Coast Guard 
http://www.ibiblio.org/hyperwar/USCG/VI-Pacific/USCG-VI-9.html
PATHFINDER: NABU-11 to reconnoiter and survey Green Islands.
www.history.noaa.gov/storiespathfinder.html
 

NEW ZEALAND FORCES based in the Green Islands

Jungle Highway, D L Chambers, NZ 3rd Division D.L. Chambers of the NZ Third Division was a friend of Bob Conner and painted this watercolor Jungle Highway for him. We hope he and his family will see this.

Warwick Hughes' website for the 3rd NZ Division: His father fought while the Seabees built; and, half a world away, he has repeatedly assisted the construction of this site. http://au.geocities.com/third_div/

Official History of New Zealand in the Second World War: NZ Electronic Text Centre. p. 168-200
http://www.nzetc.org/etexts/WH2Paci/index.html
www.nzetc.org/etexts/WH2Paci/a8.html

U.S. account of New Zealanders on Green Island
www.army.mil/usamhi/Bibliographies/ReferenceBibliographies/ WorldWarIIac/swpa/solomons.doc -

First Army Tank Brigade

First NZ Army Tank Brigade (Rampant Dragon) Nissan Island in February
www.pmms.webace.com.au/reviews/books/rd.htm

Second Division Air Force: Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF)

NZ Air Force
www.airforce.mil.nz/about/squadrons/3sqn.htm
www.homepages.globe.net.nz/nzgunnie/messages.htm
www.altus.af.mil/history/combat/combatfeb44.htm

Green Island Attack: Nov. 1943 (Venturas) 
www.altus.af.mil/history/combat/combatnov43.htm

Green Island Landing Day: Feb. 15, 1944 (Venturas)
http://www.nzetc.org/etexts/WH2Paci/index.html
www.paul.rutgers.edu/~mcgrew/wwii/usaf/html/Feb.44.html

Green Island Air Base 1944-45: (Corsairs and Mitchells) 
http://www.nzfpm.co.nz/fragments/fot_isle.htm

New Zealand Third Division

Warwick Hughes: The Third Division: articles, timeline, photos and maps
http://au.geocities.com/third_div/

Official History (Electronic text): Chapters on Green Island and Third Division
http://www.nzetc.org/etexts/WH2Paci/index.html
Book by Ray Munroe: 3rd NZ Division, 2 NZEFIP 1940-44, 120 p. illustrated self published book

3rd NZ Division Tank Squadron
http://kiwisinarmour.hobbyvista.com/
kiwisinarmour.hobbyvista.com/tshist.htm
usembassy-australia.state.gov/anzus/1939-1946.html

Battle of Tanaheran:  Feb. 20, 1944
http://au.geocities.com/third_div/herald3_44.html
mcghiegen.orcon.net.nz/nzh_44.htm
mcghiegen.orcon.net.nz/troop_move.htm

UNITED STATES FORCES BASED IN THE GREEN ISLANDS

Administrative Units

PATSU (Patrol Aircraft Technical Support Unit) Milton Bush, Sr., esq. ‡ Green Island in WWII, 6th Edition by Milton Bush, Jr.

NABU-11 (Naval Advance Base Unit 11) (Create Naval base as combat troops land)
www.history.noaa.gov/storiesathfinder.html

First Plane to land on Green Island after it was taken from the Japs  3-7-44: crew: Cdr John B Anderson, Col (Allen C.) Koonce,(USMC) CO of SCAT, Lt. Col O'Neil, radio man, and navigator and Flight engineer." Photo courtesy of Anne Leyden, Jacksonville, FL who is seeking the men or their families. (landings actually began 3-4)

SCAT (South Pacific Combat Air Transport Command): Developed by VMB 423's Norm Anderson www.centercomp.com/cgi-bin/dc3/stories?1909 www.centercomp.com/cgi-bin/dc3/stories?1910 www.centercomp.com/cgi-bin/dc3/stories?1930 www.centercomp.com/cgi-bin/dc3/stories?1908 www.ibiblio.org/hyperwar/USMC/USMC-M-CSol/USMC-M-CSol-6.html Richard M. Nixon: Frank Gannon Interview:1983  www.libs.uga.edu/media/collections/nixon/nixonday1.htm Biography of Pat Nixon

Was one of these Nixon's hamburger stand?

Note "Ketsup on table" sign

U.S. NAVY

Naval Construction Battalions (Seabees)

List of WWII Full Battalions and brief history of each
www.nbvc.navy.mil/museum/SeabeeHistory/battalions.html

Commemorative Edition of SEABEE, October 10, 1945, lists ALL Battalions, Maintenance, Special, Pontoon, etc and their history.

History of the WWII island bases and contributions of each Battalion to development
www.ibiblio.org/hyperwar/USN/Building_Bases/bases-25.html p. 242 and 274
CDs of official cruise books of all Seabee Battalions ($30)
www.seabeehf.org (search: "CD" or Battalion Number") or by phone 805-982-5168
 

6th Special Seabees 9th Special Seabees, Platoon C (stevedores)

15th Seabees
33rd Seabees: PT Base, etc.  Don Brown interview: Arr Banika Jan 44 and joined 33rd for Green
http://www.news-star.com/archive/x297242254/World-War-II-vet-recalls-service
http://www.news-star.com/archive/x303485140/After-service-vet-returns-to-school
37th Seabees
 

Tom Taylor, 552nd Seabee Maintenance Unit John Loring Gould: 553rd Seabee Maintenance Unit   Photos, Documents from his son in law, Bruce Lord

 

93rd Seabees: Battalion History, Memoirs and photos Bob Conner: Diary, Letters, Photos, Oral History, Code map Seabees "Headquarters" in Hueneme: Green Islands Map

PBY "Black Cats" Catalina Flying Boats

Navy, PBY, and Green Island lore, logbooks and links; site has good search engine
www.VPNavy.org

Logbooks and other information about units including VP 44 and 53
www.pbycia.org/Logbooks.nsf/WebPages/PBYCIA

Creed, Roscoe, PBY: The Catalina Flying Boat, Naval Institute Press, Annapolis, 1985
Bogart, Gerald, Capt., "The Black Cats of Green Island." Foundation (Naval Aviation Museum Foundation) March 1982

VP24/VP12, PATSU 1-1, VP 81: Earl "Chicken" Rhoden. Stories and descriptions of tender ships, Marsden matting, Washing Machine Charlie, crabs, PATSU, SCAT.
http://members.aol.com/famjustin/Rhoden1.html
VPB-44
www.daveswarbirds.com/blackcat/hist-44.htm

VPB-53: Black Cat Flying boat:  Fred Henning's memories www.daveswarbirds.com/blackcat/hist-53.htm www.vpnavy.com/vp53_shipma tes.html

VPB-54: Letters & Commentary: Elliot Morison: History of the US Naval Operations in WWII
www.fortunecity.com/millenium/redwood/372art7.htm; newsphoto; VPB-54 Logo
VPB-91
www.daveswarbirds.com/blackcat/hist-91.htm

VP101/VPB-29: Black Cat Catalinas, PBY 4, 4a ‡ Larry Katz:: Logbook and photos, Captions,  Logbook transcribed, Memories

VP-115
www.vpnavy.com/vp115_shipmates.html

PBY TENDER SHIPS
USS Chincoteague (AVP-24): arrived 6/16/44 to replace Coos Bay, also ferried freight, mail and troops
http://www.hazegray.org/danfs/auxil/avp24.htm
USS Coos Bay (AVP-25):
http://www.vpnavy.com

Patrol-Torpedo (PT) Boat Squadrons

Museum and Association of PT Squadrons
www.PTBoats.org
www.history.navy.mil/avh-vol2/chap4-7.pdf
PT Boats at War; WWII to Vietnam, by Norman Polmar and Samuel Loring
www.petertare.org/books.htm
photo: elevated shower
www.pacificwrecks.com/historytbases/morobe/morobe-wwII-men.jpg
PT RON 5: Feb. and March: Jack H. Duncan, PT 62, 103
http://home.st.net.au/~dunn/ngmap01.jpg
http://members.cox.net/jduncan161/feni.htm
http://members.cox.net/jduncan161/fishing.htm
http://members.cox.net/jduncan161/rabaul.htm

PT RON 10: Feb. 16 to April 19: Earl Richmond; PT 108

PT RON 11: Jan. 31 reconnaissance and Landing Day

PT RON 19---PT RON 23                                           March to May 15, then split between RONs 20 and 23 ‡ Men sent to RONs 20 and 23 when RON 19 dissolved ‡ C.J. Willis: Memoirs from PT RON 19    PT 242,"Celeste" and other Higgins boats "Interview with Robert Ankers" by Francis A. O’Brien, WWII, Jan. 2003
	PT RON 19 Bob Ankers' "Snuffy" photos
THE SKIPPER SPEAKS: A Daily Chronicle of William Raney, RON 19  (This is a rough "scan text" of a document typed in the Pacific and unevenly reproduced.  It is readable enough even in this state to make what there is available.)   Preface: C.J. Willis, PT RON 19       Part 1  Part 2  Part 3  Part 4 (Green Islands)

PT RON 23: April to November 1944 
Samuel Frankel: oral history: war and recent trip back with wife; Yom Kippur services on Nissan
http://oralhistory.rutgers.edu/Interviews/frankel_samuel.html

PT RON 27: June to Aug. 24 PT RON 28: Feb. 17 to May, Sept 1 to Oct. 18

Nicknames of boats: PT RONs 27, 28

 

PT Tender boats/A-frames Coos Bay served Black Cats

Navy Communication Unit 39: Commander Homer Allen Penhollow, USNR
www.penhallow.net/homer.html
Discussions.seniornet.org/ cgi-bin/WebX?230@102.lfEgat70z1M.0@.ee7cc13

Navy Argus- Unit 7
www.worldwar2history.info/forums/Guestbook01/ messages/859956599.html
www.worldwar2history.info/forums/Guestbook01/ messages/476193968.html
www.worldwar2history.info

First SEAL: Roy Boehm 
http://www.navysealteams.com/Boehm.htm

Navy Ships

Profile of each ship in Dictionary of Naval Fighting Ships
http://www.hazegray.org/danfs
USS Anthony (DD-515): Landing Day:supported LSTs and firepower
www.budget.net/~dnolan/uss.html
bobrosssr.tripod.com/515mad.html
USS Bennett (DD-473): Landing Day
www.domeisland.com/fletcherclass/ussbennett/finn.html
USS Bryant ( -09): landing day
www.hazegray.org/danfs/volume_b/vol_b_09.htm

USS Cape Johnson (AP 172) troop ship, Commander L. C. Farley 93rd Seabees from Green Islands to Samar, Oct. 25 - Nov.16, 1944 ‡ Bob Conner’s Diary and Letters: ‡93rd Seabees History http://www.navsource.org/archives/09/22172.htm http://www.hazegray.org/danfs/auxil.htm         (scroll down to click on Cape Johnson)

USS Cassiopeia (AK 75): supply ship: ‡ ANCHORS AWAY: David A. Friederich's colorful memoirs, including the Noumea explosion and the mystery of Bull Halsey's liquor. Also describes complex procedure for Green Island deliveries. ‡ David Friederich letters to Seasbees93  David Friederich interview www.jcs-group.com/military/remember/1941liberty.html

USS Wadsworth  (DD-516)
USS Dempsey (DE-26): http://www.ussdempsey.com  supplied Nissan June 21 web.ics.purdue.edu/~stevec/WWII_Diary/wwii_diary.html
web.ics.purdue.edu/~stevec/Ship_s_History/ ship_s_history.html
USS Fullam (DD-474): Flagship of reconaissance group p.174
http://www.nzetc.org/etexts/WH2Paci/index.htm
www.destroyers.org/nl-histories/dd474-nl.htm
USS Guest (DD-472): Landing Day
USS Halford (DD-480): Landing Day Flagship carrying Adm. Wilkinson, Cmdr. Burroughclough
www.history.navy.mil/danfs/h1/halford.htm
www.bobrosssr.tripod.com/480hist.html
www.specwarnet.com/USSWard/history.htm
USS Hudson (DD-475): patrolling between Buka, New Ireland and Green Island, January 1944
bobrosssr.tripod.com/contrib.html
USS Montclair_ Pacific War Diary, James C. Flahey. USN, Covers Green Islands Invasion
http://www.historicwaltham.org/essays/curtin_essay_hm.php
http://www.nytimes.com/1991/09/27/arts/james-j-fahey-a-garbage-man-and-published-author-dies-at-73.html
USS Middlemas: freighter: boarded equipment and a few men of 93rd Seabees for removal to Leyte
USS Pathfinder (AGS1): Oceanic Survey Data Collection: Surveyed Russel Islands and provided detachment to NABU-11 to reconnoiter and survey Green Islands.
www.history.noaa.gov/storiespathfinder.html

USS Rochamborn: Micky Flynn transferred from Cassiopeia (AK-75) (left)

USS St. Louis: Only direct hit on landing Day (NZ 180)
http://www.probsolve.com/ussstlouis/
USS Talbot II (DD-114): 30th NZ reconnaissance and Landing Day
http://www.multied.com/navy/destroyer/ dest2/TalbotIIdd114.html
http://www.geocities.com/Heartlandlains/5850/amburgey.html
USS Tappahanock (AO-43): Tanker, delivered fuel
USS Taylor:
www.domeisland.com/fletcherclass/usstaylor/text2.html
USS Uncoi: supply shi : Uncoi was trapped in Barahun passage
 William Johnson: Nothing Else Like It in the Navy:
www.gtalumni.org/StayInformed/techtopics/spr95/ww2.html
USS Vanuna (AGP-5): tender for PT Boats
USS Wadsworth  DD-516
USS Waller
usswaller.com
web.mountain.net/~tedallen/ww2hist.html
web.mountain.net/~tedallen/warrecord.html
USS Ward (DD-139/APD-16): 
www.destroyers.org/nl-histories/dd474-nl.htm
www.hazegray.org/danfs/destroy/dd139txt.htm
http://www.rpadden.comearl/ussward.htm
http://www.history.navy.milhotos/sh-usn/usnsh-w/dd139.htm
www.multied.com/navy/destroyer/dest2/Warddd139.html
www.specwarnet.com/USSWard/history.htm

Destroyer Squadron (DesRon 23): "Little Beavers"
www.domeisland.com/desron23/

Landing Craft Infantry 

LCI(L)LCI(L)-357
www.navsource.org/archives/10/150357.htm
LCI(L)-358
www.navsource.org/archives/10/150358.htm
LCI (G)-560
www.usslci.com/html/lcimessages3.html
LCI Ships Stores: Videotape #4 includes Green Islands landing.
http://www.usslci.com/html_L2/stories/lcimovies.html
LST Photo: LST unloads at Green Island
http://www.yauctions.com/y/search?q=Army
LST-220: First echelon of 93rd NCB on Landing Day
http://www.navsource.org/archives/10/16/160220.htm
http://www.historycentral.com/Navy/patrol/15.html (includes history of all LSTs)
LST-247: Timeline: 20 Feb.1944 - Invasion of Green Island. Beach 32 
www.dalebroux.com/lst/Bigalkarvid.as
www.dalebroux.com/lst/Timeline.as
LST-466: damaged on Landing Day NZ p. 180
LST-486

US Naval Warships camouflage: Modifications in camouflage after Green Island invasion
www.shipcamouflage.com/5_2.htm
www.shipcamouflage.com/5_3.htm

 U.S. Marines

History of U.S. Marine Corps Operations in World War II, Volume II: Isolation of Rabaul by Henry I. Shaw, Jr. and Major Douglas T. Kane, USMC.Historical Branch, G-3 Division, Headquarters, U.S. Marine Corps 1963. Seizure of the Green Island, Showing Landing Plan at Nissan, 15 February 1944
http://www.ibiblio.org/hyperwar/USMC/II/

 Marine Dive Bombing Squadrons
 

This entire website owes it's existence to Mel Clark whose photo of Hollywood and Vine matched mine.  I told Dad, he showed me his Diary, the WWW took his memoirs to the world, and brought the rest of these folks to us.

VMSB 341: SBD (Douglas  Dauntless) ‡ Behind Hanger Doors: Albert Black; excerpts ‡ Unit History ‡ Melvin Clark: photos, log, documents,  ‡ Personal account , ‡ Florida Sun-Herald article, Jan. 2003:

Marine Bomber Squadrons

VMB-423: PBJ (B-25) ‡Ted Rundall: History of VMB-423: ‡ Collected Memoirs of VMB-423: Book 1, Pt 1: Book 1, Pt 2: Book 2 ‡ Album: The Seahorse Marines: Pilots Lt. Robert Weaver (author) and Lt. Michael Bosak, III (layout) ‡ Maps and photos Reunion Home Page: http://www.vmb423.com
	VMB-433: PBJ (B-25) ‡ Bill Parks: history of VMB-433 ‡ Pilot's cloth map  ‡Page of photos

Marine Fighter Squadrons

VMF-223: (Bulldog) squadron
www.2maw.usmc.mil/cherrypoint/VMA223/VMA223History.as
Charles Lindbergh
http://www.acepilots.com/lindbergh.html

VMF-218 (Wildcats) F4U Corsairs
http://www.pacificwrecks.comeople/veterans/morris.html

VMF-211 "Black Sheep" 
www.acepilots.com/usmc_magee.html
Ba Ba Black Sheep By Gregory (Pappy) Boyington : Stories from Corsair pilots by legendary "Black Sheep"
Bye Bye Black Sheep By Masajiro Kawato Japanese Ace who shot down Pappy Boyington
http://www.expage.com/bentwings Fred "Crash" Blechman

VMTB-134 (TBFs)
www.history.navy.mil/avh-vol2/Append2.pdf

1st Marine Wing Service Squadron
www.grunt.com/newsletters/march16_2002news.htm

WWII's Kilroy Was Here: Corsairs
www.kilroywashere.org/005-Pages/05-0Miscellany.html

Charles Harold Hayes, USMC, planning and execution of the Green Island and Leyte, etc.
www.arlingtoncemetery.net/chhayes.htm

VMFA (N)-531: Marine Night Fighter Squadron (Venturas)
http://home.inreach.com/vmfa531/VMFA-531%20History.html

U.S. ARMY

Army Air Force  USAAF Chronology
ftp.rutgers.edu in directory pub/wwii/usaf 2