A Few Gallons More

4-1-14

 

At the PBY Catalina Foundation’s 1994 reunion, Santa Rosa, California, we had a real treat. Bob Swan, the pilot/navigator of the PBY that first sited the Japanese Invasion of Midway on June 3, 1942 shared a remarkable piece of information.

Per Bob, his PBY had been searching for the Japanese invasion fleet for several days. Each day they flew 650 miles on the outward leg, turned 90 degrees fro about 100 miles and then returned to Midway.

On each patrol, as they reached the 650 mile turning point, a Japanese twin engine Nel 96 plane would put a few holes in their beloved PBY. Even though they fired their 50 caliber blister guns at the meatball painted plane, no real kill was noted.

At Midway, the U.S. Army had sent some B-17s to bolster the defense of the island and they had a new type of 50-caliber machine gun bullet.  It had an exploding projectile that blew up on impact causing greater damage than that of the regular type projectiles. Swan and his crew were able to scrounge five rounds of the new bullet.  They placed three rounds in one gun and two in the other.  They were going to get the NIP aircraft that put holes in their PBY.

The best part of Swan’s tale was about the plane’s captain, R. J. DeRouin, who had a wife and two children. For some unknown reason, Chief DeRouin decided, on their behalf, to add 50 gallons of fuel for each member of his family, a total of 150 extra gallons!  Off they flew.  At the 60 mile point where they would have turned their 90 degrees – no Japanese aircraft – no bullet holes in their PBY!

Disappointed, Swan asked Jack Reid, the patrol plane commander, if they could continue on for a few minutes more with the hopes of trying out the new bullets.  They really wanted to use the exploding rounds on the Jap plane.

With the extra fuel, Reid agreed, with the comment to Bob, “I don’t care just so long as you get us back to Midway.”   On they went.  Again, per Bob, they had not flown very long when suddenly below and on the near horizon, was the Japanese invasion fleet heading for Midway!

The rest is a major part of our W.W.II history, the beginning of the defeat of the Japanese empire and the end of W.W.II.

Had it not been for a few gallons more of fuel, and the determination to get even with a Japanese plane, the United States Navy could have missed the Japanese invading fleet.

To the men who found this fleet – MORE THAN WELL DONE, GENTLEMEN.

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Cliff Hanger: Rescued by First Responders

3-20-14

 

ON "OCEANS AWAY" MUSIC VIDEO SHOOT:

Marshall Gulch. Big winds. Big waves. A friend of mine and I scrambled down a raggedy path to capture some sunset footage for a music video we’re producing for The PBY Catalina Foundation. We’re taking Elton John’s moving song “Oceans Away” and adding visuals to it.

We located a great spot on the beach - ocean churning, sun heading for the horizon - and I began setting up the two cameras I brought. One was a GoPro that I’d planned to jump into the water with later - cold! cold! cold! – the other, my trusty Sony EX3.

Low sunlight angled into my lens and I realized it needed cleaning. My lens tissue was back at our vehicle (dumb) and I started preparing to hike back up the path to get it.  My friend, generous soul that he is, says “No problem, I'll go.“  Sure, no problem, what could happen?

 

A very short while later I hear what sounds like a cat mewling and I curiously glance around, don’t see anything. Then the sound rises again, this time it’s a dog baying; I crane my neck this way and that, and then – there! Thirty yards down the beach my friend lies crumpled in the sand at the bottom of the parking lot path.

What happened: Part way up the narrow climb my friend had been negotiating, ground gave way and he toppled to the bottom, landing in a twisted crunch. He was in pain. Major pain.

 

There was no phone reception in our area so I started scaling the path to seek assistance. Then, voices: two male hikers appeared above me. I quickly explained our situation and without hesitation they sailed off for help. (Thank you, dudes, whoever you were -- Angels?)

 

Within ten minutes a ranger found us, assessed my friend’s condition and radioed for back up. In an incredibly short period a medic and a sheriff arrived and minutes later a helicopter hovered overhead ready to lift my friend in a basket to a waiting emergency vehicle.

 

To these first responders: Our profound thanks. You guys are the best and we are blessed to have such caring, professional, and efficient service people at ready. You have our immense gratitude and praise.

One of the goals of the PBY Catalina Foundation is to honor the men who flew the PBY Cat during WW2 because one of their main missions was to rescue. This remarkable seaplane performed a multitude of important functions but its service as a rescue vehicle was unequalled. Many thousands of soldiers were saved from a salty grave by courageous men in an outstanding plane that could land in high seas and carry them back to safety.

We at the Foundation honor and salute First Responders; the PBY Catalina seaplane; and all other rescue heros; whether they be fireman, police officers, teachers, CPR instructors, nurses, homeless shelter operators – the list is long and valued. Thank you all – you’re the best!

P.S. My friend is okay now, albeit still sore; I am happy nothing worse happened. And, of course, as a cameraman – I got my footage.

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YouTube Channel Now Online!

1-13-14

We've uploaded all our videos to YouTube, please visit and subscribe!

 

http://youtube.com/user/pbycatfoundation

 

We are looking to add more videos from our PBY friends, if you have something you'd like to share please let us know and we'll upload to the library: pbycat@sonic.net. Hope the new year is treating you, take care...

 

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Help Us Offer a Helping Hand to a Homeless Vet

12-9-13

Happy holiday folks! Winter celebrations are upon us and this means the tax year is winding to a close. We have some special offers we’d like to share with those of you interested in tax deductions. This year we are doing what we can to make a difference with our campaign “A Hand-Up for the Homeless Vet.”

A percentage of your donations this year will be going to help men and women who have served our country but now struggle with homeless issues. They need and deserve our support; from our hearts and from our wallets. We are giving you a chance to show these men and women we care and want to extend a helping hand.

We are offering our donors unique Midway Buttons as a thank you gift for any donation over $20 and for larger amounts we have Marshall Islands WW II aircraft coins in brass or silver - quite classy and a real value.

 

To see the thank you gifts you can receive for donating: CLICK HERE

To visit our Gift Shop to see other PBY related items: CLICK HERE

We dedicate the following moving music video, "The Closing of The Year" to all our service women and men and wish them a joyous holiday and a kick-butt New Year! This heartfelt song is from the movie Toys sung by Wendy and Lisa.

 

 

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“GUARDIAN ANGEL"STORY FEATURED ON WINE LABEL

9-17-13



In late November, 2012, we received an e-mail from Bravery Cellars (www.braverycellars.com) that our “Guardian Angel” story was being featured on a 2010 Knights Valley Cabernet Sauvignon to honor the PBY Catalina crew of 51-P-6 for a very dangerous open sea rescue. This was quite gratifying to the Foundation.

It is also gratifying to the Foundation to share Bravery Cellars’ mission of serving our veterans. They state on each bottle of wine “We are committed to donating 100% of after tax profits to worthy programs which benefit veterans and their families.” Their mission connects with our mission to serve homeless veterans.

Bravery Cellars also has a partnering program called “Recognition Label Wines”. They state the following: “Our Recognition label was created to assist organizations in creating one or more wines which can be used to assist in fundraising efforts, support special events and/or to recognize individuals or groups.” The Foundation is looking at four labels over the coming months to cover red and white wines. The labels will recognize the two pilots, the VP51 crew, and the recused B-17 crew. Other labels will be generated over time to recognize others PBY Catalina history whether military or civilian. After profit taxes from the sale of these wines will be sent to the Foundation to help our various programs. This is another way of remembering history!

Honoring:

Ensign Frank M. Fisler, Naval Aviation Pilot First Class Leonard H. Wagoner, and Flight Crew Six of VP51, December 30, 1941

The Story:

While on patrol out of Hawaii looking for an expected Japanese invasion fleet, a lone PBY-5 at maximum range spotted two life rafts containing the crew of a downed B-17 from Hickam Field. Although facing 20 knot winds, 40 foot seas, low fuel and approaching darkness, the crew of the PBY elected to attempt a rescue. After completing an extremely difficult landing, the PBY crew battled heavy seas and leaks from 54 popped rivets for two hours while trying to navigate with only occasional glimpses of the life rafts in the heavy seas. Once the nine grateful airmen were finally aboard the PBY, the crew was faced with a takeoff even more difficult and dangerous than the landing. After several unsuccessful tries "Snuffy" Wagoner finally coaxed the PBY into the air. The nine airmen, having survived the attack on Pearl Harbor, a ditching at sea and four days in small life rafts were now safe thanks to the heroism of Flight Crew Six of VP51.

Tasting Notes:

This one made us smile! Knights Valley is one of the finest cabernet growing regions in California, and this is an elegant example with aromas of currant, spice, mocha and just the right amount of soft oak tannins. This wine has superb balance and a wonderful silky feel in the mouth. We blended in just a hint of Cabernet Franc to add a delightful herbal note to the finish. Pair this with a rare Ahi steak, flavorful cheeses like Asiago or Manchego, or foods with rich tomato sauces. We're excited about this outstanding wine from an outstanding area at a great price.