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| USN USS Bunker Hill (CV-17) VF-8  USN 1944  USN April 1, 1944 |
Pilot Ensign John R. Galvin (rescued) Crashed April 1, 1944 Aircraft History Built by Grumman as model G-50 in Bethpage, New York. Delivered to the U.S. Navy (USN) as F6F-3 Hellcat bureau number 40695. Wartime History Assigned to USS Bunker Hill (CV-17) to Fighting Squadron Eight (VF-8). No known nickname or nose art. Mission History On April 1, 1944 took off from USS Bunker Hill (CV-17) piloted by Ensign John R. Galvin on his fifth combat mission for a strike against Woleai. Flying over Woleai Airfield, Galvin left formation to strafe a parked G4M1 Betty but sustained anti-aircraft fire damage and bailed out and landed n the sea five miles to the north of Taugalap Island to the southwest of Woleai. Immediately, fellow pilots reported his bail out and requested a rescue mission. Fate of the Pilot Galvin landed in rough sea with injuries but was immediately spotted by other Hellcat pilots and reported. The current caused him to drift into shallow water atop the coral reef fringing Taugalap Island. Meanwhile, the attack continued against Woleai. Hours later, Galvin reached the beach and was buzzed by a TBM Avenger several times that dropped a life raft to him, with a note attached, instructing him to "swim out to sea" but he was too weak. Rescue At at 8:40am, USS Harder (SS-257) on lifeguard duty was notified of the downed pilot and departed at full speed to attempt a rescue. At 11:45am the pilot was spotted and the submarine took up a position only 1,500 yards from shore. In a poor position to perform the rescue, the submarine attempted to reposition, but then opted to remain at the original spot. Meanwhile, carrier planes remained in the area and continued to strike Woleai while the rescued commenced. At noon, three of the submarine's crew volunteered to use a rubber raft attached to a tow line to reach the beach. The rescue party included Lt Samuel M. Logan from Kentucky, J. W. Thomason, the ship's cook from Danielsville, GA and MMM1C Francis X. Ryan from Shenandoah, PA. Meanwhile, the submarine kept the engines turning and the bow on the reef to prevent it from being beached. Above, a SOC Seagull released a one man raft to Galvin, who inflated it, but was too weak to swim. It took the rescuers roughly 30 minutes to reach Galvin. While performing the rescue they observed sniper fire splashing in the sea around them. To suppress enemy fire, the submarine gunners opened fire on the tree line and escorting fighters strafed the area. As the group was being towed back in their raft toward the submarine, an SOC Seagull landed and attempted to reach them, mistaking them for another downed aviator it was instructed to rescue and accidentally severed the tow line. Thomason swam back to the sub with the line, while the rest of the group waited on the reef. Another crew member, Gunner's Mate Freeman Paquet, Jr. volunteered to swim out a new line, made from light weight rope from life rafts that the crew and quickly tied together. After Paquet reached the raft, they were finally towed back to the submarine with the line pulled by every available member of the crew. Within an hour, the sub reversed off the reef safely. Aboard, Galvin was treated for his wounds. Overhead, the entire rescue was photographed by a photographic F6F Hellcat piloted by Air Group Commander Andrew Jackson with observer Jerry Rian. Afterwards, the daring rescue was commended by Admiral Chester W. Nimitz. Memorials Galvin passed away in 1994 in Scottsdale, AZ. References Galvin was credited with 7 victories and 2 damaged. Navy Serial Number Search Results - F6F-3 Hellcat 40695 USN Overseas Aircraft Loss List April 1944 - F6F Hellcat 40695 Salvation for a Doomed Zoomie (1983) pages 118-157 Thanks to James Sawruk for additional information Contribute Information Are you a relative or associated with any person mentioned? Do you have photos or additional information to add? Last Updated November 18, 2024 |
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