Harry had always wanted to be a pilot. He got his chance
when he joined the Marine Corps on December 8, 1942 at the age of 21. It was
particularly hazardous to be a pilot in the Navy. Landing a plane on a moving,
heaving deck of an aircraft carrier is basically a controlled crash. Harry was
a Marine Corp aviator. They flew off remote islands in the South Pacific as
well as aircraft carriers. On the Essex class carrier U.S.S. Bunker Hill for
instance, there were naval aviators as well as Marine pilots. There were many Marines
and Navy pilots killed on that fateful day in May, 1945 when a Japanese kamikaze
(three actually) hit the carrier with devastating results.
The Marine Corp pilots flew many types of aircraft. However
they are known particularly for flying the Corsair of Baa Baa Black Sheep fame.
Harry trained at Corpus Christy NAS and graduated on April 1, 1944. Soon he
would be flying the famous gull-winged, big propped Corsair. Later Harry
trained at Cove Springs Florida and Cherry Point NAS.
Harry was sent on detached duty to become a ferry pilot at
Bennett Field New York in September, 1944. He flew F6F-5 Hellcat’s and F4U-10
Corsair’s from the east to west coasts during the remainder of 1944.
He returned to Cherry Point in January, 1945 and re-joined
his old squadron, VMF-913. Harry and the rest of his squadron received intense
training in flying the Corsair. Early on, the Corsair was known to be a hard aircraft
to handle. The prop was so big that the landing gear design had to be extended.
Landing on carriers, that controlled crash caused the landing gear to sometimes
break because they were so long. Later, the prop went from three bladed to
four, shortening the diameter of the propeller thus shortening the planes
landing gear. After this change, the plane earned legendary status during WWII
and Korea.
Harry departed for Okinawa in May, 1945. He was assigned to
VMF-224 stationed at Youtan. On June 3, 1945 Harry and the rest of his squadron
intercepted a flight of Japanese Mitsubishi “Betty” bombers escorted by several
fighters possibly Zero’s or Oscar’s. The “Betty” were carrying a “Baka” (translated
loosely to “fool” according to American pilots) which was a piloted suicide (bomb)
that was rocket powered carried on the belly of the aircraft. The bomb slowed
the already sluggish and unarmored “Betty” to point where the bomber was easy
prey.
Harry and his wingman saw the “Betty” drop the “Baka” in
order to try and get away. The bomber dove towards the East China Sea while the
tail gunner opened fire. Harry’s wingman was hit and fell off in a left turn,
obviously hit. Harry’s Corsair was then hit in the fuselage behind Harry’s
seat. Harry got behind the bomber and opened fire with controlled bursts. The “Betty’s”
oil lines were hit and Harry’s cockpit canopy was sprayed with the black
substance. Harry continued to fire hitting the bombers left wing. The planes non-self
sealing gas tank was hit and the left wing exploded in a ball of fire which gave
the “Betty” its other nickname “Flying Cigar.” Harry’s own left wing passed
through the fire ball and it was only then that Harry realized that he was no
more than 100 feet from the water. The “Betty” continued to fall, hitting the
water with its left wing and cart-wheeled into the ocean.
Harry’s squadron left Youtan and moved across Okinawa to an
airstrip called Chimu. He stayed there until the Japanese surrender in
September, 1945. Soon the squadron flew to Yokuska NAS located on Tokyo Bay to
begin occupation duty. Harry flew recon missions from this base until November,
1945. He sailed for the states about Thanksgiving 1945 and made it back to
Dallas, Texas on Christmas Eve!
Harry joined the reserves in April, 1946 joining a squadron
at NAS Dallas. He served in this squadron until March, 1951. He then received
orders to active duty because of the Korean War was heating up. Harry was sent
to El Torro NAS and finally discharged in July, 1952. Harry was one of only four
VMF-112 pilots that were not sent to Korea. He returned to Dallas and received
his discharge with the rank of Captain on August 1, 1952.
Harry is proud to have been a Marine and to have served his
country!
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