"And may this sailor find repose with the plane in which he gave his life that we might live...."
                                                                                                     -Victory at Sea  

Image below, from left to right: Digby Denzek (Radioman), Lt. Robert Cosgrove (Pilot) and Loyce Deen (Gunner) on the flight deck of the USS Essex in front of a Grumman Avenger TBM.

During September 1995, Gregg Mastriforte was in Hawaii on business and was able to attend the 50th anniversary of VJ day. All the hotel's lobbies, restaurants and local bars were filled with WWII veterans. Gregg shared drinks with a couple of WWII veterans who were deck hands aboard the carrier USS Essex.

They talked about the Kamikaze plane that hit their carrier in Nov '44, the typhoons they sailed through, the Air Groups they supported, and a sailor who was shot up so badly, they buried him with his plane.


Books have been written about the first three stories, but very little has been written about that sailor. Since we are losing so many of our WWII veterans, Gregg Mastriforte wanted to pay tribute to those two veterans he shared drinks with, in that small bar on Waikiki Beach and the friend they talked about: Loyce Deen.

Gregg was moved by the story that he decided to do research on Loyce Deen. He contacted the NAS Fort Lauderdale Museum asking for information. We learned that Loyce trained here at this base. Loyce's tribute page has images and videos, including the one of his burial at sea and also a moving story about a WWII nurse doll.
                   
In the award winning documentary series, Victory at Sea, the episode entitled "The Conquest of Micronesia" aired several solemn and moving burial at sea scenes. The final scene showed a sailor buried at sea in the plane in which he gave his life. The plane was so badly hit by 40mm anti-aircraft (AA) shells, the Navy decided to leave his body in the plane. In fact, orders also came down not to strip the plane for parts - which was quite an extraordinary tribute at the time since aircraft parts were scarce and in demand. He is the only known USN sailor to be purposely buried with his plane. The documentary did not mention the sailor's name nor the carrier. Except for his name on a few website photos, very little was written about him - until now.

The sailor was 23 year old Loyce Edward Deen, an Aviation Machinist Mate (Gunner) 2nd Class enlistee from Altus, Oklahoma who served in VT-15 squadron assigned to the USS Essex. Loyce was a remarkable young man and here is his story...  Please visit the tribute Page, created by Gregg Mastriforte:

www.loyceEDeen.org

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Discovery of Flight 19
A 30-Year Search for the Lost Patrol in the Bermuda Triangle
By Jon F. Myhre

• Release Date: April 16th, 2012
• A Full Color Book - 202 pages - 8.5 x 11" - Softcover
  
• 155 vintage photographs, charts, drawings and expedition photos.

Jon F. Myhre began flying at age 12, soloed at age 15, and today has his Commercial Pilot’s License, plus Instrument, Multi-Engine, Instructor, and Rotary Wing ratings. He is third generation military and his 20 years in military service, including being shot down, is augmented by his awards. An Army Master Aviator, he was awarded a DFC, 2 Bronze Stars, 4 Purple Hearts, 30 Air Medals, and the Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry. This book comprises his quarter of a century of the research and analysis of Flight 19, the search and discovery of a TBM Avenger, and the raising of that aircraft to the surface. This is one man’s story no one should miss.

CONTENTS:
Author's Note
Foreword
From the Publisher
Prolog
Chapter 1 - Flight 19
Chapter 2 - A Great Search
Chapter 3 - The Naval Inquiry
Chapter 4 - Into the Bermuda Triangle
Chapter 5 - Lost In The Wind
Chapter 6 - The Hunt
Epilog

Appendices
Exhibit 11
Bibliography
Personal Contacts
Organizations
Index
Colophon

Jon F. Myhre's book is available
in both print and e-book format
from The Paragon Agency, Publishers:
www.SpecialBooks.com

Sunday, May 06, 2012
LeRoy Crouch USN (Ret)
(Post Navy career he was an architect for Broward County School system in Florida).

"My knowledge goes way back till the time the Naval Air Station Fort Lauderdale was first built.  My Dad was one of 2 Public Services Directors that built this facility in 1942. Dad claimed this to be one of his outstanding building projects. He talked about the methods they used to construct those long-span wooden trusses for the hangars, as well as the building used to contain the "Link Trainers." He told of the times that they would have to carry a pilot trainee out on a gurney-- after he had crashed in the simulator.

He claimed that he was the only one able to view the entire set of construction plans for the building. Everyone else could only see the portions they were currently working on. Dad proudly displayed a plaque he was awarded by the Base Commander, for the efforts he had made during the construction and maintaining of that facility.  I have the picture of him receiving this award. He cherished that till his dying day. His claim to fame, I guess. He used to point to every building on that site-- and say "I built that one, and this one, and that one...."  and on and on: the hangars, the hospital, the mess hall, the barracks, the officers club...."

James Edward Westfall, 88, died Monday, April 2, 2012, in Melbourne, Fla.
He was born Sept. 1, 1923, near Spencer, Ind., to John Christopher and Nina Atlanta (Smith) Westfall.
He graduated in 1942 from Greencastle High School, Greencastle, Ind.
He married June Alexander in 1942. He later married Gayle E. Ellsworth in 1947. She preceded him in death in 1998. He then married Jessie H. McCarty in 2003.

With the onset of World War II, he entered the U.S. Navy V-5 air cadet program. He completed pre-flight school courses at the University of Georgia (Athens) and went on to finish flight training at Pensacola Naval Air Station, Pensacola, Fla. With his naval aviator wings and commission as an ensign, he was shipped to the South Pacific in 1944. In that theater of the war, he saw action primarily at the controls of the Douglas SBD Dauntless. After his return from combat in 1945, he was based at Naval Air Station Fort Lauderdale in Florida. While there as a flight instructor in the Grumman TBM Avenger, he played a role in the search for Flight 19 — the mysterious disappearance of five Avengers off the coast of Florida on Dec. 5, 1945, arguably the most famous aviation incident associated with the Bermuda Triangle.

Briefly on inactive status following World War II, he worked for Aero Sales in Jacksonville, Fla., and operated a private flying school. Recalled to active duty, he was a flight instructor at Pensacola Naval Air Station before being assigned to the USS Boxer (CV-21) and USS Kearsarge (CV-33) during the Korean War. From the decks of these aircraft carriers, he flew his favorite airplane, the Vought F4U Corsair. For part of this period, he served as navigator aboard the oiler USS Chickaskia (AO-54). In the 1950s, he piloted the Lockheed R7V Super Constellation for MATS (Military Air Transport Service). His transport flights from Hickam Air Force Base, Honolulu, Hawaii, took him all over the world and into Southeast Asia at the beginning of the Vietnam War.

He marked most of the 1960s with service in naval air reserve training commands at Jacksonville, Glenview, Ill., and Omaha, Neb. From 1967 to 1969, he was at the Pentagon, where he was responsible for base programs on the staff of Vice Admiral Thomas F. Connolly, USN, Deputy Chief of Naval Operations (Air) and namesake of the Grumman F-14 Tomcat. He retired from the U.S. Navy as a captain in 1971. He then moved to Longwood, Fla., where he worked in real estate for many years at Sweetwater Oaks and other developments. He relocated to Melbourne in 1990, settling at Indian River Colony Club. He was an outdoorsman who enjoyed fishing and hunting, and he was an avid golfer.

Burial will be Aug. 2 with full military honors at Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, Va.

As the founder of the Naval Air Station Fort Lauderdale Historical Association (NASFLHA), Allan McElhiney's efforts caught the attention of US Rep. Clay Shaw, R-Fort Lauderdale, who in Oct. 18, 2005 sponsored a bill in Congress (H. Resolution 500) honoring the 60th anniversary of Flight 19. Rep. Clay Shaw, member of the Ways and Means Committee was the author of the resolution.

NAS Fort Lauderdale and the Fort Lauderdale Community in 1942:

Two years after the Naval Air Station was commissioned, millions of dollars flowed from the military establishment into channels of local trade and commerce. Initial cost of constructing for the base was at $6,000,000 (six million in 1942 had the same buying power as $87,356,903.23 in 2012. Annual inflation over this period was 3.90%), much of which found its way to Fort Lauderdale. Approximately $350,000 annually went to local real estate interests in rentals from officers and men who lived "ashore." About $250,000, was spent each year in Fort Lauderdale by the station Administration for supplies and services. In addition, the total annual civilian payroll at the station, reached almost $1,000,000, most of it going to Ft. Lauderdale citizens. Although precise figures are not available, the military payroll at NASFL ran into millions yearly during the war years. Much of this money was spent in Lauderdale.

After the war, returning veterans created a population explosion in the area that dwarfed the 1920's land boom. The Naval Air Station provided an important catalyst for the growth and economic expansion of South Florida. Today, Fort Lauderdale is a major yacht and cruise ship center, one of the nation's biggest tourist destinations, and the heart of a metropolitan division of 1.8 million people.

Copyright © NAS Fort Lauderdale Museum

We were asked a great question from a reader in California, who is planning an expedition to the NE coast of Florida, in the hopes of finding Flight 19. His question was:

"What were the Navigational Problems that an Avenger flier had to solve/complete in order to graduate at the Naval Air Station Fort Lauderdale?" He mentioned that he knew of Navigational Problem #1, from the excerpts at the U.S Naval Inquiry on Flight 19, but didn't know the rest of the Navigational Problems a pilot had to tackle through the aviation course at NASFL.

Here are our findings: each Ensign (cadet) became a TBM/TBF Avenger torpedo bomber pilot, when he completed the following:

1. Bombing flights.
2. Navigation flights over the water.
3. Formation flying.
4. Gunnery runs on a towed sleeve.
5. Night flying.

Flight 19 was composed of a Flight Instructor, four Naval Aviators undergoing VTB-type advanced training and nine enlisted aircrewmen who, with the exception of one, were all undergoing advanced combat aircrew training in VTB-type aircraft at NAS Fort Lauderdale.

The Overwater Navigation Problems on 5 December 1945 were the following:

NAVIGATION PROBLEM # I
091 degrees...........123 Nautical Miles (NM)
346........................73 NM
241......................120 NM

NAVIGATION PROBLEM # II
132 degrees...........123 Nautical Miles (NM)
025........................ 76 NM
281........................ 67 NM
271........................ 56 NM

NAVIGATION PROBLEM # III
074 degrees...........129 NM
140........................ 59 NM
275........................161 NM

NAVIGATION PROBLEM # IV
091 degrees........... 56 NM
063........................ 77 NM
221........................108 NM
312......................... 73 NM

Above course degrees reference to true north; above distances are in nautical miles.

Flight 19 - "Navigation Problem #1": That the organized over water navigation training flight exercise assigned to Flight 19 on 5 December 1945 was Naval Air Station, Fort Lauderdale, Florida, navigation problem No. 1 is as follows; (1) depart 26 degrees 03 minutes north and 80 degrees 07 minutes west and fly 091 degrees (T) distance 56 miles to Hen and Chickens Shoals to conduct low level bombing, after bombing continue on course 091 degrees (T) for 67 miles, (2) fly course 346 degrees (T) distance 73 miles and (3) fly course 241 degrees (T) distance 120 miles, then returning to U.S. Naval Air Station, Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

Click to enlarge and read descriptions.

Avenger torpedo bombers were used very effectively during World War II. They could carry either one standard torpedo or a one-ton bomb. They could operate from an airfield or from an aircraft carrier and were used effectively against enemy warships. They carried a three-man crew consisting of a pilot, a gunner, and a radioman.

Originally conceived as an adjunct to NAS Miami, The Naval Air Station Fort Lauderdale (NASFL or NAS Fort Lauderdale) soon became an independent base for operations training specializing in TBM/TBF Avenger torpedo bombers, as part of the Naval Air Operational Training Command.

TBM/TBF Avenger pilot training was taught among other degrees (Radiomen, Machinist's Mates and Ordnancemen), along with radar and fire control operator training. Also the Naval Air Station Boat Facility, the Fort Lauderdale Navy Section Base, and the Fort Lauderdale Coast Guard Station located at Port Everglades were established and/or worked in conjunction with this base. These units were instrumental in providing practical target bombing practice as well as air and sea rescue operations and retrieving of torpedoes. For example, the USS Absicon was a decoy ship that served in training and the USS Asheville (both operating from Port Everglades) tested experimental weapons for the NASFL.

Training of Avenger Pilots:
An Ensign was eligible to train at this Operational Training school, until he had completed Primary, then Intermediate courses at other schools. Pilots were paired up with gunner and radioman at NAS Fort Lauderdale, and went through a 8 to 12 week training period, then they went to "action" as a team. Each week a new training squadron began, therefore there were 9 to 10 squadrons in training at a time. NAS Fort Lauderdale was their last stop before being sent to war, either to the Pacific or Atlantic campaigns.

The base also had Beechcraft SNB-1 twin engine bomber trainers, and Boeing-Stearman N2S-5 biplane trainers. The teachings and indoctrination for Avenger pilots included the following:

• Familiarizing Ensign cadets with the specialized Avenger aircraft, its technical aspect and special techniques.
  
• Ground School included instruction in navigation. Such as exercises with the Link Trainer Flight Simulator.
• Flight experience with landings and take-offs.
• After a few landings and take-offs, to fly solo.
  
  

The would be Pilot had to complete the following navigational problems, in order to graduate:

1. Bombing flights.
2. Navigation flights over the water.
3. Formation flying.
4. Gunnery runs on a towed sleeve.
5. Night flying.
   
   

Click to enlarge and read descriptions

Copyright © NAS Fort Lauderdale Museum

The Naval Air Station Fort Lauderdale was still under construction when the first 16 student pilots and 17 TBM Avengers arrived at the base, in 1942. During this time, the Bachelor Officers Quarters (BOQ) had not been built yet. The Junior Officers were boarded in local hotels, mostly small family-run establishments in downtown Fort Lauderdale.

Communications Officer William J. Hopwood remembers: "At the time I arrived in October of 1942, the BOQ were not ready and they put us up in a small Hotel on Andrews Avenue, which was owned by a man and wife who were Free French refugees. We used to sit around the lobby at night, listening to the Free French short-wave broadcasts from Radio Brazzavile in French Equatorial Africa."

When the base was completed, it included an Administration Building, a Senior BOQ, Junior BOQ, a Ship's Service Building, Theater, Kitchens, Cafeteria, Service Store, Writing Room, and Recreation Hall, Barber Shop, the Sick Bay or medical Building, Radio Transmitter Building, Control Tower, Brig, Link Trainer Building, Hangar Buildings, Sewage Disposal Plant and Barracks for enlisted personnel. A vast complex of more than 200 buildings of which the majority were built of wood. Local Causeway Lumber Co. supplied most or all of the lumber. Wood floors were cut from the Florida Easter White Pine/Dade County Pine (which is extinct now in South Florida).

Upon graduation, many would stay at this base or move onto other military sites. From 1942 to 1944 the base would have trained 1,686 American and British pilots and thousands more of air-crewmen. At peak utilization in April 1945, less than six months before the war was over, there were over 200 aircraft stationed. At the end of war, the base was decommissioned October 1, 1946, exactly four years after its commissioning. The NASFL Museum is the only building remaining from that complex.

Copyright © NAS Fort Lauderdale Museum

A Navy Park in Memory of Flight 19:

In 1989, Walter Houghton, Assistant Fort Lauderdale Airport Director, noticed the efforts of Allan McElhiney and the NASFL Historical Association, and received permission to build a Navy Park on the east side of the FAA tower at the Fort Lauderdale - Hollywood International Airport. Walter found a plaque dedicated to Flight 19 designed by the Woman's Council Navy League that had been stored in a warehouse, and he had a special monument built to display it. A torpedo bomber (TBM) propeller was mounted at the top, against the background of the tower. The park was completed in the beginning of 1990. Every year on 5 December, a Memorial Ceremony is performed. It is open to the public. City Officials, Navy personnel, Veterans of wars, press and the general public attend the ceremony.

The wife and daughter of Captain Edward Powers USMC who was part of the Flight 19, arrived for the opening. After the ceremony was over, they told Walter that it was the nicest thing that had happened since the lost flight of December 5, 1945. Edward's daughter mentioned that "since my dad was lost at sea, by having this monument here, I now find true peace for the first time since he died."

Copyright © NAS Fort Lauderdale Museum

A Specialty School for the TBM/TBF Avenger Aircraft at NASFL:

The Naval Air Station Fort Lauderdale was established as a specialty school to train Pilots and Aircrewmen for the Avenger torpedo-bomber airplanes. The crewmen, in addition to being gunners, were Radiomen, Machinist's Mates and Ordnancemen. A pilot and two gunners in a naval torpedo plane were the usual crew.



The station's main job was to train for aerial combat, but no airplanes would fly, torpedoes and bombs be dropped or machine guns fired if medical, supply, instructional, clerical, cleaning, maintenance, or transportation services were to break down. Efficiency would have suffered without proper food, adequate welfare and recreational facilities. Thus every member of the station's personnel, no matter what the job, was on the same team. By the end of the war, NASFL was a complex of more than 200 buildings.

Since then, the vast complex of buildings that housed the air base have been all demolished. All except for one: the Link Trainer Building #8 - our current Museum.

With the help of many volunteers, this Museum has been instrumental in preserving the memory of Flight 19 - The Lost Patrol, one of the great aviation mysteries. Flight 19 flew out of NASFL on December 5th, 1945 to vanish into the Bermuda Triangle. In addition, a 19 year old future US President George H.W. Bush lived at NASFL as a young Ensign to train as a torpedo/bomber pilot.

This website is now Mobile Compatible!

The NASFL Museum Website will automatically display the mobile-optimized version when someone visits from a mobile device. The slideshows and photo galleries are mobile optimized for viewing and interaction. When people are viewing photo galleries or slideshows from a mobile device, the photos open full screen and allow native touch and swipe gestures. This works extremely well not only on iPhones and iPads, but the wide range of Andriod devices as well.

This information was submitted by Mr. Gary T. Kilbride:

NAS Sanford Reunion

June 22 – 24, 2012 including an Open House at the Sanford Museum on Saturday May 23 from 1:00 – 4:00 PM.

It is about a 4 hr drive to Sanford from Ft. Lauderdale so it is feasible to drive up in the morning, have lunch at the Fleet Reserve then tour the Museum and either staying overnight nearby or returning home the same day.

For more information visit the NAS Sanford Website.

In 1942, the City's Chamber of Commerce recognized the need to entertain the servicemen and early efforts to enlist the aid of the USO were unsuccessful. This led to the creation of the Fort Lauderdale Service Men's Center on Las Olas Boulevard on SE 1st Avenue (building no longer exists). The large unfinished building was donated by Robert H. Gore, owner of the Fort Lauderdale News. Local businesses and citizens donated all materials and labor to complete what has been described as "the busiest and happiest place in South Florida" and "the most beautiful Service Center in the United States." More than two million servicemen and women were served here.

The embrace of the community had much to do with Broward County's growth into a major metropolitan area since many of the servicemen married local girls or returned to settle here with their new families.

Memories of Naval Air Station Fort Lauderdale and Flight #44
By Lou Grab

The final weeks of training at NAS Corpus Christi were filled with great expectations. Graduation day and winning those wings of gold was just around the corner. Officer uniforms (Greens, Whites, Blues, and Khakis) had to be ordered. Orders to transfer to our next base were being prepared, and we wondered about getting the duty location each of us had requested. All of our final check flights and ground school had to be successful. Then on June 9, 1943, I became an Ensign, and received orders to operational training at Naval Air Station Fort Lauderdale.

Fort Lauderdale and Flight #44 with Instructor Tex Ellison, lasted about two months. The transformation from cadet life to officer for a young 20-year old was probably like going from the minor leagues to the majors. Eating meals in a B.O.Q. (Bachelor Officer Quarters), returning salutes, learning to fly a new operational torpedo bomber, being responsible for crew men, and knowing how lucky it was being a Naval Aviator was a real high.

Tex Ellison was great. He took us from flying SNJs at Corpus Christi to flying TBFs. After being checked out in the cockpit-- Ensign in the seat and Ellison standing on the wing and having had relevant ground school information, the Ensign flew his first TBF flight solo.

​After a few landings and take-offs, the flight experiences expanded to include bombing flights over Lake Okeechobee, navigation flights over the water, formation flying, gunnery runs on a towed sleeve, and night flying. All orchestrated by Tex Ellison.

A tragedy occurred, which shocked all of us in Flight 44. We had all gone through the ground school pressure chamber to experience high altitude air and the necessary use of oxygen. Flights to 20,000 feet were a required follow-up to learn much about the different ways the Avenger flew at higher altitudes. We lost a crewman from lack of oxygen...

Ground school included instruction in navigation. This was extensive and paid off in the Pacific. Survival skill training was also emphasized. All of the things we worked on at Corpus were repeated and were related to the TBF Avenger. Navigation in a TBF-- survival as it related to the TBF, focused on carrier based operations.

The beach at Fort Lauderdale was great swimming. Water six feet deep was long ways from shore. Two months in Flight 44 went by real fast. We had to leave NASFL. From Ft. Lauderdale we had an all night train trip to Chicago and the Great Lakes Naval Air Station. First, we had field carrier landing practice. Then, we flew out to the USS Sable to make five landings in daylight. The final experience was two night landings on the Sable. After my first landing, deck crew rolled the TBF back to the stern. Then I got signals to hold brakes and go to full throttle for a take off. I attempted to take off, but found myself stopped at the bow at full throttle. The tailhook had fallen out and latched onto an arresting cable. I was lucky again. I redid the take off, made landing number two, and flew back to the NAS at Glenview.

After Glenview, one great experience after another took place. I got a leave of about two weeks, which allowed time to go home to Sacramento prior to reporting in to NAS Norfolk. At Norfolk, Air Group 51 was formed, and we learned we would be on the USS San Jacinto. The Torpedo Squadron 51 training location became NAS Chincotegue. While at Chincotegue, the squadron made trips to the Commissioning of the USS San Jacinto, and to Hyannis to drop torpedoes. Eventually, we went aboard the ship at Norfolk and sailed to Trinidad and back to Norfolk on a shake down cruise.

From Norfolk, it was a ready ship and air group which sailed through the Canal, up to San Diego, and on out to Pearl Harbor and the Pacific Theatre. So many people invested themselves in the war effort, in hundreds of meaningful ways. I was lucky to do it my way.

Lou Grab
VT-51

A big thank you to Richard Haddad, one of our members and volunteers! He has been working hard all week, donating time and materials, doing landscaping of the Museum's grounds: pruning and trimming overgrown bushes and adding mulch all around the landscape. The place looks fantastic!


Richard is President of the Florida Speed Shooting Association: this Association oversees operations of a competitive pistol club that provides a learning environment for novice shooters as well seasoned competitive shooters. He is also a South Florida Rep for SRT Supply, Inc. which consults with Law Enforcement Agencies in procurement of duty and tactical gear to include firearms, body armor, night vision, and technology based items.  Richard is also owner of the company: Defensive Weapons which deals with Law Enforcement and civilian firearms / tactical training as well private investigations specializing in corporate security, intellectual property, diversion and counterfeiting.

Jack Cawley, AMC 2nd class
NASFL Wing Shop Aviation Metalsmith

USS Montrose (APA-212)

The USS Montrose (APA-212) was a Haskell class attack transport that saw service with the US Navy in World War II, the Korean War and Vietnam War. USS Montrose Awards: One battle star for World War II service, three for the Korean War, and six for the Vietnam war. Montrose participated in the landings in Kerama Retto 26 March, and on 2 April, shot down two kamikazes. She steamed to Menna-shima off Okinawa 15 April, and disembarked units of the 306th Field Artillery. Four days later she took part in a diversionary feint on the southwest tip of Okinawa, returning to Menna Shima 23 April. Leaving the Ryukus she sailed to Ulithi with Army casualties, en route to San Francisco to embark more troops. She debarked these units at Manila 27 July.

After hostilities: For the next 2 months she shuttled troops between the Philippines and Hawaii. From 25 August to 24 October, Montrose was busy carrying occupation troops to Sasebo, Kyūshū. She was decommissioned on 26 October 1946, and was assigned to the Pacific Reserve Fleet at Stockton, California.

Korean War: After hostilities broke out in Korea, Montrose recommissioned 12 September 1950, and arrived Yokosuka, Japan, 8 January 1951 to help repel the invasion by North Korea. She took troops to Inchon early in 1951; and, in April, after a run to Hong Kong, she steamed for the California coast. She returned to Yokosuka 30 July 1952, and joined TF 90, supporting operations off Korea, until returning to San Diego 6 December. She returned to Japan in March 1954 and took part in training exercises from Iwo Jima to Korea.

Peacetime operations: Operation Passage to Freedom. When war threatened in Indochina, she sailed to Saigon. Leaving Saigon 9 August, she proceeded to Haiphong to evacuate refugees from there to Saigon as part of operation "Passage to Freedom." By 12 September Montrose had evacuated 9,060 people. She sailed home, arriving San Diego 21 November.

Transport and training missions: In March 1955, Montrose traveled again to Japan, disembarking members of the 3rd Marine Division. Between April and November she helped train South Korean amphibious forces and operated off the Japanese coast, until steaming to San Diego in November. She spent the early part of 1956 in training, before proceeding to the Far East for operations in the Bay of Siam in October. She arrived San Diego 13 April 1957, and operated off the California coast for the next 5 months. In September she took part in cold weather landing exercises near Kodiak, Alaska, then remained on the west coast until 12 June, when she sailed for Japan. Between 1958 and 1965, she operated off the California coast, and made several voyages to the Far East.

Vietnam War: With the situation in South Vietnam becoming more precarious, Montrose left San Diego 23 August 1965, to begin training off Okinawa. In November, she conducted several successful strikes against the Vietcong, the first attack coming at Lang Keaa. The following month she participated in a massive attack on the Vietcong near Da Nang. She sailed 25 January 1966 for Gu Lao Re, and assisted in an attack on a Vietcong stronghold there. She arrived 14 April at San Diego, and returned for her 12th deployment in the western Pacific early in 1967. She anchored at the mouth of Long Tau River, South Vietnam, on 23 March, and took part in the establishment of a powerful riverine force. While delivering supplies at Dong Ha 25 May, Montrose came under hostile fire. She arrived 16 September 1968 at San Diego, and began preparation for a return trip to the western Paciflc into 1969.

Final decommission: Montrose was struck from the Naval register on 2 November 1969 and returned to the Maritime Administration, who sold her for scrapping to the Ziddell Corporation of Portland, Oregon in 1970.

USS Pine Island (AV-12)

The USS Pine Island (AV-12), a Currituck-class seaplane tender, is the only ship of the United States Navy to hold this name. The ship was named after Pine Island Sound (off the coast of Lee County, Florida).

World War II: Departing California on 16 June 1945, Pine Island steamed to Okinawa. There she tended seaplanes engaged in air-sea rescue operations during the final phases of World War II. At the end of the war, she entered Tokyo Bay and contributed seaplane flight operations to the occupation of Japan in 1945. Following occupation duty in Japan, she conducted seaplane flight operations in the Whangpoo River near Shanghai, China. She left the Pacific in 1946, and steamed via the Suez Canal to Norfolk, Virginia.

Operation Highjump: Departing Norfolk on December 4, she crossed the Antarctic Circle on 25 December 1946. Carrying three PBM-5 Mariner seaplanes; one Sikorsky HO3S-1 helicopter and one Curtis SOC Seagull amphibian, she contributed to the aerial exploration of Antarctica in Operation Highjump, and saved several downed aviators from the hostile climate. In addition a bay in Antarctica, Pine Island Bay, was named in honor of the ship. A glacier on Thurston Island was also named after the ship. Departing the Antarctic in March, she traveled from Rio de Janeiro via the Panama Canal to San Diego, California, arriving there in April. Leaving California for the Far East in August 1947, she spent the winter at Tsingtao, China and the summer of 1948 in the Northern Pacific. Awaiting a major overhaul in 1949, she was decommissioned on 1 May 1950.

Korean War: Recommissioned on 7 October 1950 at Alameda, California, in response to the Korean War, she departed for the Western Pacific in December. She tended seaplanes that flew missions over enemy-held territory in Korea, before returning to San Diego in September 1951. She was away from California on WestPac deployments January to September 1952, February to September 1953, January to August 1954, and February to August 1955. Deployed to WestPac in June 1956, she visited Brunei, Borneo, in August, before returning to San Diego in December. From April to December 1957 she operated again in WestPac. Sailing for WestPac in May 1958, she visited Bangkok, Thailand, and was at Kaohsiung, Taiwan, during the Second Taiwan Strait Crisis. She returned to San Diego in December, and departed for WestPac in June 1959. During 1960 and 1961 she continued her Pacific duties. Deployed to WestPac from January to June 1962, she embarked news media personnel from several countries in March in connection with the SEATO exercise "Tulungan." Steaming for WestPac in March 1963, she operated out of Okinawa, received visitors at Chinhae, Korea, in June, and delivered fresh water to Hong Kong in August, before returning to San Diego in September. In January 1964 she departed San Diego for the Galapagos Islands, where she provided assistance to scientists before returning to San Diego in February.

Vietnam War: Deployed to WestPac in June 1964, she served at Da Nang, South Vietnam, in August. In September 1965, she returned to WestPac, conducted seaplane operations in Cam Ranh Bay, South Vietnam, and participated in the 1966 Coral Sea anniversary festivities in Australia and New Zealand before returning to San Diego in June. It also took place in Operation Market Time. Decommissioned in Puget Sound Naval Shipyard on 16 June 1967, Pine Island entered the Maritime Administration's National Defense Reserve Fleet, at Suisun Bay, CA, where she remained until stricken on 1 February 1971, and was later sold to Zidell Exploration of Portland, Oregon on 7 March 1972. Pine Island received one battle star for World War II service, and service medals for Korea and Vietnam.

Peter Accornero, our newest member and volunteer, refurbished the building's support pillars. The five pillars are from the now extinct Dade County pine. They were stripped of the old particle board, holes filled, sanded and then shellacked. They were beautifully restored! Peter also helped with painting the baseboards, ramps, rails and steps, along with Ray Rivera, our Maintenance Officer and a group of volunteer sailors from the USS Gettysburg.

We have a unique history, and if you haven't visited in awhile, this would be a good time to set aside a Saturday afternoon and drop by for a couple of hours. Volunteers are encouraged to contribute their time or ideas or to organize an event. There is something for everyone. While you're enjoying the past, you'll get a glimpse at the future of this Museum too. If you would like to become a volunteer of the Naval Air Station Fort Lauderdale Museum, please download, or print this application. Complete the form and send to us via e-mail, or snail mail to:

NASFL Museum
4000 West Perimeter Road
Fort Lauderdale, Florida 33315

The Travel Channel: Flight 19 Mystery

The Travel Channel visited the NAS Fort Lauderdale Museum  March 18, to film a documentary segment for their series "Mysteries at the Museum" hosted by Don Wildman. The film crew was on location all day and used several artifacts, documents and WWII photographs for their story.  Each episode has three segments. The episode with the Flight 19 story will be the 9th episode of the current season. This episode is scheduled to broadcast on Tuesday, June 12th on the Travel Channel at 9pm. Please check your local listings. The crew also interviewed Lt. David White who helped in the search for Flight l9. Lt. White will be featured in our upcoming Avenger Newsletter.

About the Show: "In Mysteries at the Museum, we unlock the archives of America’s greatest institutions and let their most precious possessions speak. Each hour of this series will take viewers on a captivating, revealing and at times shocking tour of America’s past, revisiting its most crucial events by reexamining what has been left behind.In Mysteries at the Museum, we unlock the archives of America’s greatest institutions and let their most precious possessions speak. Each hour of this series will take viewers on a captivating, revealing and at times shocking tour of America’s past, revisiting its most crucial events by reexamining what has been left behind."

Rear Admiral Michael Yurina visited the Museum with his wife Jenni, mom and dad, and nephew Austin Scott as we had a group of sailors from the USS Gettysburg doing volunteer community service. He has been Director of Strategic Planning and Communication of the Submarine Warfare Division and Chief of Naval Operations Staff. The Museum was in a state of commotion, but he really enjoyed himself talking to the group and exploring the exhibits. He gave Allan McElhiney a beautiful Challenge Coin, as he expressed his thanks to Allan for his military service and dedication to the preservation of this historic Museum. ADM Yurina and John Bloom are friends from Saint Coleman's Grade School and Cardinal Gibbons High School. It was nice to see you Admiral!

Rear Admiral Michael J. Yurina
Director, Strategic Planning and Communication
Submarine Warfare Division
Chief of Naval Operations Staff

Rear Admiral Yurina hails from Pompano Beach, Fla. and is a 1978 graduate of the United States Naval Academy. Following nuclear propulsion training and basic submarine school, he reported to USS Sturgeon (SSN 637) where he completed submarine warfare and nuclear engineer officer qualification. Yurina then reported to commander Submarine Squadron 18 as Submarine Performance Monitoring Team leader prior to transition to the Navy Reserve in 1985.

Yurina has completed Navy Reserve assignments supporting  assistant chief of Naval Operations (Undersea Warfare); USS L.Y. Spear (AS 36); Submarine Squadron 8; Supreme Allied Commander, Atlantic; commander Submarine Force (Headquarters and Battle Group Staff); Supreme Allied Commander, Transformation; and National Defense University. He served in command of five Reserve units. Following a tour as Reserve chief of staff, Submarine Force, he served as vice commander, Submarine Force from August 2008 to September 2009.

Complementing his uniformed military service, Yurina joined the Naval Sea Systems Command as a civilian in 1986 and served in a variety of submarine engineering, financial management, acquisition reform, knowledge management, Reserve coordination, and acquisition policy roles until 2003. Yurina is currently employed by the Transportation Security Administration. He has achieved level 3 program management certifications in DoD and the Department of Homeland Security.

Yurina’s awards include the Legion of Merit, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, Joint Service Commendation Medal, Navy Commendation Medal, and various other personal and service awards. He holds a Bachelors of Science in Naval Architecture, a Masters of Public Administration and a Masters of Science in National Resource Strategy. He is a distinguished graduate of the Industrial College of the Armed Forces and the Defense Acquisition University Senior Acquisition Course.

Photos by Minerva Bloom

The morning of April 27th, Mr. Erwin Seftin & Capt. Brian Fulford from Broward Navy Days organized a group of 16 sailors from the USS Gettysburg. They did a great job in painting several areas inside and outside the Museum!  Ray Rivera, our Maintenance Officer and Peter Accornero, our newest member and volunteer, organized the sailors in groups. They all painted baseboards, ramps, handrails, steps, the bases of the flag pole and gun. Great job guys! Thank you for your spirit and service!