NAS JACKSONVILLE Board of Investigation Into Five missing TBM airplanes and one PBM airplane convened by Naval Air Advanced Training Command, NAS Jacksonville, FL 7 December 1945 and related correspondence (Flight 19) FINDING OF FACTS Fact#1 AVENGERS TIME 1410R(approx) 5Dec1945 5 TBMs departed as Flight 19 on an authorized overwater navigation training flight from USNAS, FtLaud, FL. Type TBM-3, Bur# 23307, Squad# FT-28, Engine# 124575 Type TBM-1E, Bur# 46094, Squad# FT-36, Engine# 66287 Type TBM-1C, Bur# 73209, Squad# FT-117, Engine# 34191 Type TBM-1C, Bur# 46325, Squad# FT-81, Engine# 63207 Type TBM-1C, Bur# 45714, Squad# FT-3, Engine# 34619 ------------------------------------------------------ Fact#2 ASSIGNED COURSE The organized overwater navigation training flight assigned to Flight 19 on 5Dec1945 was USNAS, FtLaud, FL, navigation problem # 1: (1) depart 26 degrees 03 minutes north and 80 degrees 07 minutes west fly 091 degrees (T) distance 56 miles to Hen and Chickens Shoals to conduct low level bombing after bombing continue on course 091 degrees (T) for 67 miles (2) fly course 346 degrees (T) distance 73 miles (3) fly course 241 degrees (T) distance 120 miles then returning to USNAS, FtLaud, FL. ------------------------------------------------------ Fact#3-#7 PILOTS Authorized pilot who signed for and accepted for flight for Flight 19 on the afternoon of 5Dec1945: Charles Carroll Taylor, Lt. (A1), USNR, File# 114685, TBM-3, Bur# **************** Edward Joseph Powers, Jr., Capt., USMC, File# 09789, TBM-1E, Bur# 46094 George William Stivers, Capt., USMC, File# 010959, TBM-1E, Bur# 73209************** type & bur# mismatch Forrest James Gerber, 2ndLt., USMC, File# 047223, TBM-1C, Bur# 46325 Joseph Tipton Bossi, Ensign (A1) USNR, File# 470677, TBM-1C, Bur# 45714 ------------------------------------------------------ Fact#8-#12 AIRCREW Authorized aircrew passengers on 5Dec1945 TBM-3, Bur# 23307 (pilot Charles Carroll Taylor, Lt. (A1), USNR, File# 114685) Walter Reed Parpart, AvRad3C, USNR, Service# 714 19 16 Robert Francis Harmon, AvOrdnanceman3C, USNR, Service# 711 02 11 TBM-1E, Bur# 46094 (pilot Edward Joseph Powers, Jr., Capt., USMC, File# 09789) Howell Orrin Thompson, StaffSgt., USMC Reserve, Service# 499181 George Richard Paonessa, StaffSgt., USMC, Service# 805639 TBM-1C, Bur# 73209 (pilot George William Stivers, Capt., USMC, File# 010959) Robert Peter Gruebel, Pvt., USMC Reserve, Service# 563782 Robert Francis Gallivan, Sgt., USMC, Service# 359343 TBM-1C, Bur#*************** (pilot Forrester James Gerber, 2ndLt., USMC Reserve, File# 047223) William Earl Lightfoot, Pvt1C, USMC, Service# 519803 TBM-1C, Bur# 45714 (pilot Joseph Tipton Bossi, Ensign (A1) L, USNR, File# 470677) Herman Arthur Thelander, Seaman1C, USNR, Service# 758 44 37 Burt Edward Baluk, Jr., Seaman1C, USNR, Service# 714 91 50 ------------------------------------------------------ Fact#13 DECLARED MISSING TIME 1900R, 5Dec1945 Unaccounted for since about 1900R, 5Dec1945 TBM-3, Bur# 23307, Squad# FT-28 TBM-1E, Bur# 46094, Squad# FT-36 TBM-1C, Bur# 73209, Squad# FT-117 TBM-1C, Bur# 46325, Squad# FT-81 TBM-1C, Bur# 45714, Squad# FT-3 and the personnel assigned to these aircraft for Flight 19 that departed from U.S. USNAS, FtLaud, FL, at 1414R, 5Dec1945 ------------------------------------------------------ Fact#14 QUALIFIED AVIATORS Were qualified naval aviators on 5Dec1945 Charles Carroll Taylor, Lt. (A1), USNR, File# 114685 Edward Joseph Powers, Jr., Capt., USMC, File# 09789 George William Stivers, Capt., USMC, File# 010959 Forrest James Gerber, 2ndLt., USMC, File# 047223 Joseph Tipton Bossi, Ensign (A1)L, USNR, File# 470677, . ------------------------------------------------------ Fact#15 ACTIVE DUTY Were attached to and serving on active duty in flight status at the USNAS, FtLaud, FL, on 5Dec1945 Charles Carroll Taylor, Lt. (A1), USNR, File# 114685 Edward Joseph Powers, Jr., Capt., USMC, File# 09789 George William Stivers, Capt., USMC, File# 010959 Forrest James Gerber, 2ndLt., USMC, File# 047223 Joseph Tipton Bossi, Ensign (A1) USNR, File# 470677 Walter Reed Parpart, AvRad3C, USNR, Service# 714 19 16 Robert Francis Harmon, AvOrdnanceman3C, USNR, Service# 711 02 11 Howell Orrin Thompson, StaffSgt., USMC Reserve, Service# 499181 George Richard Paonessa, StaffSgt., USMC, Service# 805639 Robert Peter Gruebel, Pvt., USMC Reserve, Service# 563782 Robert Francis Gallivan, Sgt., USMC, Service# 359343 William Earl Lightfoot, Pvt1C, USMC, Service# 519803 Herman Arthur Thelander, Seaman1C, USNR, Service# 758 44 37 Burt Edward Baluk, Jr., Seaman1C, USNR, Service# 714 91 50 ------------------------------------------------------ Fact#16 ASSIGNED INSTRUCTOR Authorized and assigned instructor in charge of Flight 19 which departed from the USNAS, FtLaud, FL, at 1410R on 5Dec1945. Charles Carroll Taylor, Lt. (A1), USNR, File# 114685 ------------------------------------------------------ Fact#17 TAYLOR'S RESUME Charles Carroll Taylor, Lt. (A1), USNR, File# 114685 was a naval aviator whose flight log indicates a total of 2509.3 hours flying time his officers qualification jacket indicates that he served approx one year with VS-62 as a scout pilot based at Key West, FL had completed a recent combat tour as carrier-based torpedo plane pilot attached to the USS Hancock. ------------------------------------------------------ Fact#18 STUDENTS Naval aviators undergoing instruction in VTB Type Advanced Training at USNAS, FtLaud, FL, at 1410R on 5Dec1945. George William Stivers, Capt., USMC, File# 010959 Edward Joseph Powers, Jr., Capt., USMC, File# 09789 Forrest James Gerber, 2ndLt., USMC, File# 047223 Joseph Tipton Bossi, Ensign (A1) USNR, File# 470677 ------------------------------------------------------ Fact#19 IN TRAINING Were undergoing Advanced Combat Aircrew Training in VTB type aircraft on 5Dec1945. Walter Reed Parpart, AvRad3C, USNR, Service# 714 19 Howell Orrin Thompson, StaffSgt., USMC Reserve, Service# 499181 George Richard Paonessa, StaffSgt., USMC, Service# 805639 Robert Peter Gruebel, Pvt., USMC Reserve, Service# 563782 Robert Francis Gallivan, Sgt., USMC, Service# 359343 William Earl Lightfoot, Pvt1C, USMC, Service# 519803 Herman Arthur Thelander, Seaman1C, USNR, Service# 758 44 37 Burt Edward Baluk, Jr., Seaman1C, USNR, Service# 714 91 50 ------------------------------------------------------ Fact#20 FLIGHT DUTY STATUS Was in a flight duty status, assigned to the Gunnery Department at the USNAS, FtLaud, FL, on 5Dec1945. Robert Francis Harmon, AvOrdnanceman3C, USNR, Service# 711 02 11 ------------------------------------------------------ Fact#21 COMPLETED VTB SYLLABUS Completed, prior to 5Dec1945. the required ground training syllabus for VTB Type Advanced Training. Edward Joseph Powers, Jr., Capt., USMC, File# 09789 George William Stivers, Capt., USMC, File# 010959 Edward Joseph Powers, Jr., Capt., USMC, File# 09789 Forrest James Gerber, 2ndLt., USMC, File# 047223 Joseph Tipton Bossi, Ensign (A1) USNR, File# 470677 ------------------------------------------------------ Fact#22 COMPLETED VTB SYLLABUS Completed the ground training syllabus for VTB Type Advanced Training prior to 5Dec1945. Walter Reed Parpart, AvRad3C, USNR, Service# 714 19 16 Howell Orrin Thompson, StaffSgt., USMC Reserve, Service# 499181 George Richard Paonessa, StaffSgt., USMC, Service# 805639 Robert Peter Gruebel, Pvt., USMC Reserve, Service# 563782 Robert Francis Gallivan, Sgt., USMC, Service# 359343 William Earl Lightfoot, Pvt1C, USMC, Service# 519803 Herman Arthur Thelander, Seaman1C, USNR, Service# 758 44 37 Burt Edward Baluk, Jr., Seaman1C, USNR, Service# 714 91 50 ------------------------------------------------------ Fact#23 FT-74 <-COMM-> FT-28 TIME 1600R(approx) 5Dec1945 Lt. Robert F. Fox, USN, while piloting FT-74 in the vicinity of the USNAS, FtLaud, FL established communication with FT-28 which was in the FL Keys, experienced a fading radio signal from FT-28. ------------------------------------------------------ Fact#24 FT-28 IS LOST TIME 1611R 5Dec1945 USNAS, FtLaud, learned that FT-28 was uncertain to his position. ------------------------------------------------------ Fact#25 AIR SEA #4 KNEW ABOUT FT-28 TIME 1600R(approx) 5Dec1945 Air Sea Rescue Task Unit No. 4 at Port Everglades, FL, was aware of the difficulty of FT-28. ------------------------------------------------------ Fact#26 JOC KNEW ABOUT FT-28 TIME 1630R(approx) 5Dec1945 Joint Operation Center of the Gulf Sea Frontier Air Sea Rescue organization was aware of the difficulty of FT-28. ------------------------------------------------------ Fact#27 SENT ALERTS TO LISTEN ON 4805 TIME 1647R 5Dec1945 Gulf Sea Frontier and Eastern Sea Frontier HF/DF nets were alerted to obtain all possible bearings on transmissions from FT-28, who was transmitting on 4805 kilocycles. ------------------------------------------------------ Fact#28 HF/DF FIX OBTAINED TIME 1800R(approx) 5Dec1945 An approximate HF/DF fix was obtained on FT-28 placing FT-28 within a one hundred mile radius of 29 degrees, 15 minutes north, 79 degrees, 00 minutes west, at 1750R. ------------------------------------------------------ Fact#29 TOWER INFORMED OF HF/DF FIX TIME 1810R(approx) 5Dec1945 The 1750R HF/DF evaluated position was telephoned to the tower at USNAS, FtLaud. ------------------------------------------------------ Fact#30 HF/DF FIX TELETYPED TIME 1836R(approx) The 1750R HF/DF evaluated position was transmitted on the Gulf Sea Frontier and Eastern Sea Frontier HF/DF teletype nets and Air Sea Rescue teletype net of the Gulf Sea Frontier. ------------------------------------------------------ Fact#31 DUMBO AIRBORNE TIME 1820R An Air Sea Rescue dumbo was airborne from Coast Guard Air Station, Dinner Key, FL to attempt to regain communications with the planes of Flight 19 on 4805 kilocycles. ------------------------------------------------------ Fact#32 DUMBO STRIKES OUT The Air Sea Rescue dumbo from Dinner Key Coast Guard Air Station was unsuccessful in its endeavor to contact Flight 19. ------------------------------------------------------ Fact#33 HOMING DEVICE OK TIME 1625R(approx) The YG homing device at USNAS, FtLaud, FL, was functioning properly. ------------------------------------------------------ Fact#34 SEARCH FAILED Extensive search operations by surface craft and aircraft from 6 December to 10 December, inclusive conducted over land and sea areas adjacent to the FL peninsula failed to discover any wreckage or locate any survivors of the five TBM's comprising Flight 19. ------------------------------------------------------ Fact#35 PBM LAUNCHED TIME 1927R(approx) Departed on an authorized Air Sea Rescue search from USNAS, Banana River, FL. PBM-5 Bur# 59225, SquadTraining# 49, Engines No. P-54213 and 52187 ------------------------------------------------------ Fact#36 PBM LAST XMISSION TIME 1930R(approx) An "out" report sent by radio was received by the USNAS, Banana River, FL and no further communications were received from said airplane after that time. PBM-5, Bur# 59225, SquadTraining# 49 ------------------------------------------------------ Fact#37 RESCUE MISSION ASSIGNED The authorized Air Sea Rescue mission assigned to PBM-5, Bur# 59225, was as follows: Depart USNAS, Banana River, and proceed to 29 degrees north and the east coast of FL, expanding square search. ------------------------------------------------------ Fact#38 PBM COMMANDER The authorized patrol plane commander who signed for and accepted for flight PBM-5, Bur# 59225. Walter G. Jeffrey, Lt.JG, U.S. Navy, File#329291 ------------------------------------------------------ Fact#39 PBM COPILOTS The authorized and assigned co-pilots of PBM-5, Bur# 59225, Squad# 49, for the search mission launched from USNAS, Banana River, FL at 1927R. Harry G. Cone, Lt. (JG A1), USNR, File# 378634 Roger M. Allen, Ensign (A1) L, USNR, File# 466015 Lloyd A. Elinson, (A1) L, USNR, File# 465964 ------------------------------------------------------ Fact#40 PBM RADAR OFFICER The authorized and assigned radar officer of PBM-5, Bur# 59225, for the search mission launched from USNAS, Banana River, FL, at 1927R. Charles D. Arceneaux, Ensign (A1) T, USNR, File# 409770, ------------------------------------------------------ Fact#41 PBM CREW The authorized and assigned crew members of PBM-5, Bur# 59225, Squad# 49, for the search mission launched from USNAS, Banana River, FL, at 1927R. Alfred J. Zywicki, Seaman1C (AvOrdnanceman), USNR, Service# 727 69 79 James F. Osterheld, AvOrdnanceman3C, USNR, Service# 378 95 75 John T. Mendez, Ordnanceman3C, USNR, Service# 268 84 98 Philip B. Neeman, Seaman1C (AvRadioman), USNR, Service# 247 11 21 James F. Jordon, AvRad3C, USNR, Service# 887 76 08 Robert C. Cameron, AvRad3C, USNR, Service# 574 04 17 Wiley D. Cargill, Seaman1C (AvMachinistMate) USNR, Service# 975 90 12 Donald E. Peterson, AvMachinistMate1C, USN, Service# 382 88 99 ------------------------------------------------------ Fact#42 QUALIFIED AVIATORS were qualified naval aviators on 5Dec1945: Walter G. Jeffrey, Lt.JG, USN, File#329291 Harry G. Cone, Lt.JG (A1), USNR , File# 378634 Roger M. Allen, Ensign (A1) L, USNR, File# 466015 Lloyd A. Eliason, Ensign (A1) L, USNR, File# 465964 ------------------------------------------------------ Fact#43 ON ACTIVE DUTY were attached to and serving on active duty in a flight status at the USNAS, Banana River, FL, at 1927R on 5Dec1945. Walter G. Jeffrey, Lt.JG, U.S. Navy, File#329291 Harry G. Cone, Lt.JG (A1), USNR , File# 378634 Roger M. Allen, Ensign (A1) L, USNR, File# 466015 Lloyd A. Eliason, Ensign (A1) L, USNR, File# 465964 Charles D. Arceneaux, Ensign (A1) T, USNR, File# 409770 Alfred J. Zywicki, Seaman1C (AvOrdnanceman), USNR, Service# 727 69 79 James F. Osterheld, AvOrdnanceman3C, USNR, Service# 378 95 75 John T. Mendez, Ordnanceman3C, USNR, Service# 268 84 98 Philip B. Neeman, Seaman1C (AvRadioman), USNR, Service# 247 11 21 Robert C. Cameron, AvRad3C, USNR, Service# 574 04 17 James F. Jordon, AvRad3C, USNR, Service# 887 76 08 Wiley D. Cargill, Seaman1C (AvMachinistMate) USNR, Service# 975 90 12 Donald E. Peterson, AvMachinistMate1C, USN, Service# 382 88 99, ------------------------------------------------------ Fact#44 JEFFREY RESUME was an ATU, USNAS, Banana River, FL, instructor and patrol plane commander whose flight log indicates a total of 1917.8 hours flying time. Walter G. Jeffrey, Lt.JG, U.S. Navy, File#329291 ------------------------------------------------------ Fact#45 COMBAT AIRCREW STUDENTS were naval aviators undergoing instructions in VPB type Advanced Training at USNAS, Banana River, FL, and were members of Combat Aircrew on 5Dec1945. Harry G. Cone, Lt.JG (A1), USNR , File# 378634 Roger M. Allen, Ensign (A1), USNR, File# 466015 Lloyd A. Eliason, Ensign (A1) L, USNR, File# 465964 ------------------------------------------------------ Fact#46 RADAR OFFICER Student radar officer on temporary duty involving flying under instructions at the USNAS, Banana River, FL, on 5Dec1945. Charles D. Arceneaux, Ensign (A1) T, USNR, File# 409770 ------------------------------------------------------ Fact#47 COMBAT AIRCREW 88G were undergoing Advanced Combat Aircrew Training in VPB type aircraft and were members of the Combat Aircrew 88G at USNAS, Banana River, FL, on 5Dec1945. Donald E. Peterson, aviation machinist mate first class, USN, Service# 382 88 99 Wiley D. Cargill, Seaman1C (AvMachinistMate), USNR, Service# 975 90 12 Robert C. Cameron, AvRad3C, USNR, Service# 574 04 17 James F. Jordon, AvRad3C, USNR, Service# 887 76 08 Philip B. Neeman, Seaman1C (AvRadioman), USNR, Service# 247 11 21 John T. Menendez, AvOrdnanceman3C U.S. Navy, Service# 268 84 98 James F. Osterheld, AvOrdnanceman3C, USNR, Service# 378 95 75 Alfred J. Zywicki, Seaman1C (AvOrdnanceman), USNR, Service# 727 69 79, ------------------------------------------------------ Fact#48 88G EXPERIENCE The officers and men comprising Combat Aircrew 88G undergoing training at the USNAS, Banana River, FL, and had obtained approximately 160.1 hours flight time as an operating crew in PBM type aircraft. ------------------------------------------------------ Fact#49 COMPLETED TRAINING SYLLABUS Completed, prior to 5Dec1945, the required ground training syllabus for Advanced Training in VPB type aircraft. Harry G. Cone, Lt.JG (A1), USNR, File# 378634 Roger M. Allen, Ensign (A1), USNR, File# 466015 Lloyd A. Eliason, Ensign (A1) L, USNR, File# 465964 ------------------------------------------------------ Fact#50 COMPLETED TRAINING SYLLABUS Completed, prior to 5Dec1945, the ground training syllabus for Advanced Training in VPB type aircraft. Donald E. Peterson, AvMachinistMate1C, USN, Service# 382 88 99 Wiley D. Cargill, Seaman1C (AvMachinistMate) USNR, Service# 975 90 12 Robert C. Cameron, AvRad3C, USNR, Service# 574 04 17 James F. Jordon, AvRad3C, USNR, Service# 887 76 08 Philip B. Neeman, Seaman1C (AvRadioman), USNR, Service# 247 11 21 John T. Menendez, AvOrdnanceman3C U.S. Navy, Service# 268 84 98 James F. Osterheld, AvOrdnanceman3C, USNR, Service# 378 95 75 Alfred J. Zywicki, Seaman1C (AvOrdnanceman), USNR, Service# 727 69 79 ------------------------------------------------------ Fact#51 PETERSON QUALIFIED ON PBM was authorized and assigned plane Capt. of Combat Aircrew 88G, who was checked and certified as qualified to solo as plane Capt. in PBM type aircraft on 22 October 1945. Donald E. Peterson, AvMachinistMate1C, USN, Service# 382 88 99 ------------------------------------------------------ Fact#52 PBM MISSING TIME 1930R(approx) PBM-5 Bur#, 59225, Squad# 49, and the assigned personnel aboard are unaccounted for since about 1930R. ------------------------------------------------------ Fact#53 PBM DIDN'T CHECK IN TIME 2030R The hourly position report due at 2030R from PBM-5, Bur# 59225, was not received at USNAS, Banana River, FL, on 5Dec1945. ------------------------------------------------------ Fact#54 SHIP SEES EXPLOSION TIME 2115R The SS Gaines Mills reported as follows: "At 0050 GMT observed burst of flames, apparently explosion, leaping flames 100 feet high burning ten minutes. Position 28 degrees, 59 minutes north, 80 degrees 25 minutes west. At present, passing through big pool of oil at 0119 GMT. Stopped, circled area using search lights, looking for survivors. None found." ------------------------------------------------------ Fact#55 CVE-67 RADAR REPORT USS Solomons CVE-67 dispatched at 06127******** reported as follows: "Our air search radar showed plane after takeoff from Banana River last night joining with another plane, then separation and proceeding on course 045 degrees at exact time SS Gaines Mills sighted flames in exact spot the above plane disappeared from the radar screen and never reappeared". ------------------------------------------------------ Fact#56 BYE BYE PBM Concentrated search operations from 6 December to 10 December 1945, inclusive, by surface and aircraft in the area of the reported explosion failed to reveal any debris of the missing PBM or evidence of its crew. ------------------------------------------------------