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| USN VP-101 |
Pilot Lt. Theodore W. Marshall (rescued) Crew AMM1c Joseph A. Henner (rescued) Crew RM2c John E. Farr (rescued) Crew AMM2c Frederick W. Cook (rescued) Sunk August 16, 1943 Aircraft History Built by Consolidated at San Diego. Delivered to the U.S. Navy (USN). Assigned to VP-23. Prewar, this Catalina was based at NAS Pearl Harbor (Ford Island Seaplane Base). Wartime History On December 7, 1941 this Catalina was at NAS Pearl Harbor (Ford Island Seaplane Base) during the Japanese surprise attack against Pearl Harbor and Oahu and did receive some damage and was not used in the immediate aftermath of the raid. Afterwards, flown across the Pacific to Australia. By the middle of 1943, assigned to Patrol Squadron 101 (VP-101). No known nickname or nose art. During the middle of August 1943, Catalinas from VP-101 were tasked to provide air cover for ship movements between Australia and Port Moresby and operated from the Port Moresby Seaplane Base near Port Moresby. Mission History On August 16, 1943 took off from Port Moresby Seaplane Base piloted by Lt. Theodore W. Marshall on a mission roughly 130 miles to the northwest to land off the south coast of New Guinea near Hui Plantation to rescue 1st Lt. LeGrand J. Kneeskern. Reaching the area, the crew observed heavy surf near and attempted to land roughly three miles off the coast. While landing, this Catalina stalled at roughly 5' above the waves and dropped down onto the crest of a swell causing it to bounce back up into the air then fall into the trough. On impact, the right engine broke off the mount with the propeller damaging the radio compartment before falling into the sea. Meanwhile, lines to the broken engine caught fire. Aboard, the crew extinguished the fire and inside the nose bombing window was knocked out, causing flooding. Although damaged the Catalina remained afloat for roughly two hours, it was abandoned due to heavy seas and sank. Wreckage No salvage was possible and it was stricken off charge and abandoned. The wreckage of this Catalina was abandoned near shore or in shallow water and until at least August 21, 1943 obstructed landings at Huiva, either on a small landing strip on shore or the shore area used by seaplanes as a landing area. The ultimate fate of the wreckage is unknown. Fates of the Crew The entire crew was unhurt and reached the coast. Together with pilot Kneeskern, they moved eastward to Kerema to await rescue. On August 17, 1943 in the morning, another PBY Catalina from from Port Moresby Seaplane Base arrived to rescue them and the pilot and returned them to to land in Fairfax Harbor at 4:00pm. Jim Sawruk adds "The pilot, Lt. Theodore W. Marshall was also at Pearl Harbor. Assigned to Patrol Squadron 21 (VP-21), he earned a Silver Star for pursuing the departing Japanese aircraft in the TBD Devastator assigned to Pearl Habor but could not catch them as his aircraft was too slow." References Navy Serial Number Search Results - PBY-4 Catalina 2446 "2446 (VP-101) hit wave during landing New Guinea and sank 8/17/1943. SOC" USN Overseas Aircraft Loss List August 1943 8/17/43 [sic 8/16/43] PBY-5 VP-101 2446 Lt. T. W. Marshall NARA "War Diary Aircraft, Seventh Fleet From: 1 August, 1943 To: 31 August, 1943" page 4 (Page 4) "(6) Important Orders Received and decisions reached (cont'd): 13 August 1943: Agree with Fifth Air Force that Patrol Squadron 101 would provide air cover for ship movements between Australia and Port Moresby, New Guinea. 16 August 1943: PBY-5, Bureau Number 2446, of Patrol Squadron 101, damaged while landing on rescue mission one hundred thirty (130) miles northwest of Port Moresby, sank before it could be beached. No salvage possible. [signature] Thos S. Combs" Australia New Guinea Administrative Unit (ANGAU) War Diary - August 1943 "15 August 1943 Lakekamu -- Kerema: The District Officer advises by signal: "Lieut. Kneeskern crashed Upper Vailala River July 31(.) head injuries otherwise OK. He is now at Huiva awaiting rescue plane(.) suitable tide 16 Aug. at 1500 hrs(.) 17 August 1943 Lakekamu -- Kerema: The Assistant District Officer signals: "Captain Pilot, Lieut. Marshall, crashed HUIVA(.) all crew safe(.) they with Lieut. Kneeskern coming Kerema today for transport Port Moresby(.) suitable tide KEREMA beach at 1600 hrs(.) will have suitable area of beach marked off for landing Moth or other light aircraft(.) 21 August 1943 Lakekamu -- Kerema: The Assistant District Officer signals: "Huiva landing strip temporarily obstructed by wrecked Catalina [PBY Catalina 2446]" 8th Photo Squadron Diary 1943 via The Eight Ballers: Eyes of the Fifth Air Force pages 78, 80 (Page 78) "Saturday, July 31 [1943] John Kneeskern, one of our oldest and best, is missing today. His 54th mission was to take him to Nadzab, but spotter reports indicate that [he] did not reach the area. Skye and Olson searched the dromes from Kerema to Hood Point but found nothing. We shall await the reports from the Watut and Wau. What can be said? John was a close friend to all of us and an important part of all our activities. A grand fellow and boon companion, he leaves a great gap in our close circle of friendship. May our hopes and prayers aid him wherever he might be. (Page 80) Monday, August 16 ...The Fates are very kind these days. We received the biggest news of the war today when word came through that the Great Kneeskern was alive and well. The message says he had head injuries but is otherwise O.K. Navy sent a Catalina to pick him up this afternoon, but for some reason they did not return... Tuesday - August 17 Well, old Honest John finally made the grade at 1600 today. ...The first Cat cracked up landing at Huina [sic Hui], and so another went up and picked him up this morning at Kerema. You will all see him soon, boys, so be patient." U.S. Navy Patrol Squadrons - V-101 Mishap Thanks to Edward Rogers, Jim Sawruk and Mike Wenger 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 August 21, 2022 |
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