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| USN VPB-137 |
Pilot Lt(jg) Charles Parker (survived) Co-Pilot Lt(jg) Howard Hassett (survived) Crew ? (survived) Crew ? (survived) Ditched January 18, 1945 Aircraft History Built by Lockheed as model 237-27-01 in Burbank. Constructors Number 237-6440. Delivered to the U.S. Navy (USN) as PV-1 Ventura bureau number 49624. Wartime History Assigned to squadron Patrol Bombing Squadron 137 (VPB-137). No known nickname or nose art. Mission History On January 18, 1945 took off from Tacloban Airfield on Leyte piloted by Lt(jg) Charles Parker with "crew 18" on a search sector southwest of Leyte to North Borneo. Outbound, they located an enemy radio station on Balabek Island south of Palawan and strafed it. Proceeding to the coast of North Borneo overflying an oil field bombed previously, then returned over the Sulu Sea, jettisoned their bomb load to lighten the bomber but found a massive thunderstorm blocking their approach to Leyte. Running low on fuel, this PV-1 ditched into Ormoc Bay. A Moment of Silence by Howard Hassett: "Seconds before hitting the water I experienced something I’ve never experienced before. There was an eerie moment of silence, peaceful and total silence. Orders were being given, actions were taken, visually you could sense things were happening, the props were still turning; but there was only silence. My immediate thought was that this was a space or a knifes edge somewhere between life and death. I also experienced knowing that whatever the outcome, I was OK with the ending. There was no panic, no hysteria, just a great sense of peace. Years later I would only be able to attribute this moment of silence to the Grace of God. However, the calm and peace I felt were suddenly removed when we HIT THE WATER. I was alive! What an impact. Before I could open my quick release belt and make my exit through the hatch above; the water was up to my chin. Lt. Parker finds his way out and also out our Crew Chief. The chief yells to me that the turret gunner is hurt and still in the aircraft. Without thought I went back into the sinking plane, into the cabin, grabbed our gunner, popped his Maywest and pushed him out. I then exit the door, pop my Maywest and go out after him. All the while yelling at him to swim or get sucked down. Parker and three crewmen are in the raft no more than fifty feet away. They pull us into the raft, and for the most part the men of Crew 18 are well." Fate of the Crew After ditching, the crew of four all escaped. The aircraft sank in 36 seconds. Rescue Afterwards, all four were rescued by a PT Boat and taken ashore. Afterwards, all returned to duty. Wreckage Contribute Information Are you a relative or associated with any person mentioned? Do you have photos or additional information to add? Last Updated February 4, 2022 |
 PV-1 196' / 60m |
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