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| USN Patrol Wing 10 VP-101 Former assignment Dutch Navy |
Pilot Lt(jg) William S. Robinson, O-077765 USNR (MIA / KIA) Detroit, MI Crew RM1c Ted Moreland, 3465995 (NAP) (MIA / KIA) AR Crew AMM1c Alder J. Holder, 2741335 (MIA / KIA) CA Crew AMM2c Dodd W. Watkins, 2683694 (MIA / KIA) FL Crew RM1c Paul H. Landers, 3370582 (MIA / KIA) IL Crew AM2c Willard O. Perry, 3857820 USN (MIA / KIA) WA Crew RM2c Truman W. Miller, 3681975 (MIA / KIA) ID MIA February 25, 1942 Aircraft History Built by Consolidated Aircraft Corporation at San Diego as Model 28-5MNE. Purchased by the Marine-Luchtvaartdienst (MLD) Dutch Navy for use in the Netherlands East Indies (NEI) as PBY-5 Catalina 28-5MNE Y-73. Instead, delivered to the U.S. Navy (USN) but no bureau number (BuNo) was assigned. In late January 1942 ferried overseas via the "Africa Route" to Java. Wartime History In late January 1942 assigned to the U.S. Navy (USN) to Patrol Wing 10 (PatWing 10) to Patrol Squadron 101 (VP-101) with squadron number 44 and operated by a U.S. Navy crew. Mission History On February 25, 1942 took off piloted by Lt(jg) William S. Robinson on a mission over Bali Island. Over the target, this Catalina was likely at a low altitude in the vicinity of Denpasar Airfield when it was intercepted by Japanese fighters and shot down in flames. When this Catalina failed to return it was officially declared Missing In Action (MIA). Afterwards, no trace of the aircraft or crew was ever found. Likely, this Catalina was shot down by two A6M2 Zeros from the 3rd Kokutai (3rd Air Group) with a C5M2 Babs from the Tainan Kokutai (Tainan Air Group) on a scouting mission over Bali. Over the target area, they claim a Catalina flying at 150' as shot down. Lou Dorny / The Baltic Group Archive adds: "The Wing’s No. 44: as for No. 42, but analysis of other fragments says the MLD number had been Y-73. Y-73 had only reached Java from the factory via Africa in late January, and likely never actually served with a Dutch crew. Loss data is solid: 25 Feb over Bali. Again, Shores, 2 / 231, records that two 3rd Ku A6Ms with a Tainan Ku C5M scouting Bali shot down a Catalina flying at only 150 feet, presuming this was the wings No. 44. That seems quite likely." Memorials The entire crew was officially declared dead on December 4, 1945. All are memorialized at Manila American Cemetery on the tablets of the missing. Robinson earned the Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC) and Purple Heart, posthumously. He also has a memorial marker on his parent's grave at Old Saint David's Cemetery in Wayne, PA. Moreland earned the Air Medal and Purple Heart, posthumously. Holder earned the Air Medal and Purple Heart, posthumously. Watkins earned the Purple Heart, posthumously. Landers earned the Air Medal and Purple Heart, posthumously. Perry earned the Purple Heart, posthumously. Miller earned the Air Medal and Purple Heart, posthumously. Relatives Ken Holder adds: "My great-uncle Alder Holder was on this aircraft, and your website provided more detail than my family ever knew about his status. All they were ever told was that he was missing, and nothing else. My grandfather who dies last year at 95, kept a picture of Alder by his bed until the day that he died. I wish I would have been able to give him this information before then. I have a question for you though. Since this aircraft is listed up on your website, does that mean that it is a wreck in the Pacific that has been found and can be located ? If so, I would really like to know. You're help and your information is greatly appreciated." References Navy Serial Number Search Results - PBY-5 Catalina American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC) - William S. Robinson American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC) - Ted Moreland American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC) - Alder J. Holder American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC) - Dodd W. Watkins American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC) - Paul H. Landers American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC) - Willard O. Perry American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC) - Truman W. Miller FindAGrave - LtC William Leslie Robinson (tablets of the missing, memorial marker photo) FindAGrave - Hanson Robinson Sr. (memorial marker including name of William L. Robinson) on parents grave FindAGrave - RD1 Ted Moreland (tablets of the missing) FindAGrave - AMM1 Alder J Holder (tablets of the missing) FindAGrave - AMM2 Dodd W Watkins (tablets of the missing) FindAGrave - RM1 Paul H Landers (tablets of the missing) FindAGrave - AM2C Willard O Perry (tablets of the missing) FindAGrave - RM1 Truman W Miller (tablets of the missing) FIndAGrave - AOM2 Wayne S Wilson (tablets of the missing) FindAGrave - RM2 Lester Vernon Failer (tablets of the missing) RootsWeb - HOLDER-L Archives by Ken Holder Bloody Shambles, Vol. 2 page 231 two 3rd Ku A6Ms with a Tainan Ku C5M scouting Bali shot down a Catalina flying at only 150 feet. Thanks to Lou Dorny / The Baltic Group Archive 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 March 3, 2021 |
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