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| USN Former Assignments VJ-1 Airship Wing 31 NACA Bureau of Weapons |
Aircraft History Built by Sikorsky in Stratford, Connecticut as JRS-1 the military version of the S-43 Baby Clipper completed on July 12, 1938. Constructors Number 4346. On July 28, 1938 delivered to the U.S. Navy (USN) as JRS-1 bureau number 1063. This aircraft was painted with blue upper surfaces and gray lower surfaces. On August 3, 1938 assigned to squadron Utility Squadron 1 (VJ-1) at NAS San Diego. This aircraft was painted overall silver with black lower surfaces and green tail surfaces plus a red band around the rear of the fuselage, and the diamond-shaped squadron insignia behind the cockpit on each side with the squadron's motif of a pelican carrying a mailbag with plane number 1063. Nose code I-J-I. During July 1940 flown to NAS Ford Island as one of ten aircraft based at Pearl Harbor. On June 3, 1941 this aircraft suffered a ground accident and was repaired. Wartime History On December 7, 1941 this aircraft was parked at NAS Ford Island and survived the Japanese attack undamaged. After the attack, took off from Pearl Harbor piloted by Ensign Wesley Hoyt Ruth co-pilot Emery C. “Pappy” Geise, radioman Oscar W. Benenfiel Jr. and plane captain Amos P. Gallupe plus two other sailors armed with M1903 Springfield rifles. Flying northward 250 miles then turned east for 10 miles then turned south flying back 250 miles back to Pearl Harbor. During the flight, the plane flew below clouds so it could climb into the clouds if intercepted. plane failed to spot the enemy. Afterwards, Ruth earned the Navy Cross for this mission. Afterwards, this aircraft was painted with blue upper surfaces and white lower surfaces with I-J-I on the nose and U.S. Navy below the tail. Modified to carry depth charges and used for patrol missions to search for Japanese warships and submarines off Hawaii. By September 5, 1942 this aircraft ceased flying combat missions and was disassembled and shipped as cargo aboard a cargo ship to California for a complete overhaul. Afterwards, assigned to Airship Wing 31 at Moffett Field in Mountain View, CA. Stricken off charge on August 31, 1944 with 1,850 hours. Storage In March 1945 placed into storage at Bush Field in Augusta, GA. During April 26, 1945 until November 20, 1946 assigned to NACA Langley Memorial Aeronautical Laboratory at Langley Field. Afterwards returned to storage at Bush Field. On November 9, 1960 transfered from the U.S. Navy, Bureau of Weapons to the Smithsonian Institution and placed into storage at National Air & Space Museum (NASM) Garber Facility inventory number A19610112000. This aircraft remained in storage from November 9, 1960 until March 8, 2011. Display On March 8, 2011 this aircraft transported aboard a truck and flatbed from the National Air & Space Museum (NASM) Garber Facility moved to National Air & Space Museum (NASM) Udvar-Hazy Center to the Mary Baker Engen Restoration Hangar. The aircraft is painted with blue upper surfaces and white lower surfaces that are weathered from storage outdoors. On the nose is I-J-I and some of the fabric surfaces are in tatters. During June 2011, veteran Harvey Waldron a radio operator who flew aboard this aircraft during patrols off Hawaii. Memorials Geise retired from the U.S. Navy with the rank of Commander. He is buried at Kvindherred Cemetery in Calamus, Iowa. Ruth served in World War II and the Korean War and retired with the rank of Captain. Ruth passed away May 23, 2015 at age 101. He is buried at Arlington National Cemetery at Section 10, Site 11156-1. Relatives Thomas A. Ruth (brother) on June 30, 1943 pilot F4F Wildcat 11862 MIA / KIA over New Georgia References Navy Serial Number Search Results - Sikorsky JRS-1 1063 "1063 (MSN 4346) in ground accident Jun 3, 1941. It was at Pearl Harbor Dec 7, 1941. SOC Aug 31, 1944, to storage Mar 1945, Assigned to Bush Field, Augusta, GA. Assigned to NACA Langley Memorial Aeronautical Laboratory, Langley Field, VA Apr 26, 1945 to Nov 20, 1946. Assigned to Bush Field, Augusta, GA . Preserved in 1948 for NASM. In storage at Garber Facility in Silver Hill, MD. Allegedly the only aircraft that was at Pearl Harbor on Dec 7, 1941 that has survived until the 21st century. Now on display at Udvar-Hazy center of NASM, Chantilly, Virginia" Dignity Memorial - Obituary Commander Wesley Wes Hoyt Ruth (November 5, 1913–May 23, 2015 FindAGrave - Emery C Geise (grave photo) FindAGrave - CDR Wesley Hoyt “Wes” Ruth (photos, grave photo, Navy Cross citation) "Navy Cross citation: "The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Lieutenant, Junior Grade [then Ensign] Wesley Hoyt Ruth, United States Navy, for extraordinary heroism in operations against the enemy while serving as Pilot of an airplane, and for extraordinary courage and disregard of his own safety during the attack on the Fleet in Pearl Harbor, Territory of Hawaii, by Japanese forces on 7 December 1941. Although contact with the enemy meant almost certain destruction and despite lack of armament in this type of plane, Lieutenant, Junior Grade, Ruth voluntarily piloted a JRS amphibian plane, with only Springfield rifles, in search of and to obtain information of the enemy forces. At a point two hundred miles north of Oahu, Lieutenant Ruth did contact an enemy aircraft and only through prompt and extremely skillful handling of his plane did he succeed in escaping and returning to Pearl Harbor. Lieutenant, Junior Grade, Ruth's outstanding courage, daring airmanship and determined skill were at all times inspiring and in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service." ANC Explorer - Wesley Hoyt Ruth (grave photos) Hall of Valor - Wesley Hoyt Ruth (photo, Navy Cross Citation) The Washington Post "After Pearl Harbor, this mail plane had a new mission: Find the attackers" by Michael E. Ruane December 2, 2016 National Air & Space Museum (NASM) Sikorsky JRS-1 National Air & Space Museum (NASM) - The Last Sikorsky JRS-1 Makes A Move to the Udvar-Hazy Center by Dick Daso March 9, 2011 National Air & Space Museum (NASM) - How a "Flying Pickup Truck" Survived Pearl Harbor December 7, 2011 PearlHarbor.org "JRS-1 and The Daring Flight of Wesley Hoyt Ruth" by Mark Loproto April 11, 2017 Hall of Valor - Wesley Hoyt Ruth, Navy Cross citation Contribute
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