_USS Bunker Hill was one of 24 Essex-class aircraft carriers built during WWII for the US Navy. She was commissioned in May 1943, and served in several campaigns in the Pacific Theater of Operations, earning eleven battle stars and a Presidential Unit Citation. The ship was named for the Battle of Bunker Hill. It was the second US Navy ship to bear the name. During the remaining months of WWII, the ship fought in the Battle of Iwo Jima; the 5th Fleet raids against Honshū, the Nansei Shoto and the 5th and 3rd Fleet raids in support of the Battle of Okinawa. The ship became one of the most heavily damaged carriers to survive the war.

The Museum is offering this vintage image of the USS Bunker Hill on their Online Gift Shop. All proceeds from the sales benefit the Museum. The image is available in Posters, postage/stamps, iPad cases, mousepads, cards and more: Bunker Hill Gifts

_ Member Spotlight
Ray Rivera, USNR WWII

USS Bunker Hill Survivor
Frogman Trainee and Korean Veteran

_Ray Rivera was born in Bronx, New York. It was perhaps part of his ancestry of seafaring peoples from the French region of Corsica, that Ray was interested in the Navy ever since he can remember. At 13, he joined the group American Blue Jackets as a way to prepare for a career in the Navy. At 16, he was finally a member of the US Navy and on his way to the South Pacific on the USS Bunker Hill-- where he celebrated his 17th birthday. He became a 2nd class Petty Officer. Ray recalls that he was aboard the aircraft carrier on May 1945, when it got attacked by Japanese kamikaze pilots. He was below deck on his way to the galley, when the first plane hit the ship. He was immediately assigned to “damage control.” The fires raged on deck, and heavy smoke infiltrated into the decks below, killing many men. The crew of the Bunker Hill suffered from the loss of 346 sailors and airmen killed, 43 more missing (and never found), and 264 wounded. The damaged ship returned to Pearl Harbor, and then onto Bremerton WA, for repairs. When the war ended, the Bunker Hill became a “Magic Carpet” taking troops back and forth, throughout the South Pacific. Ray then got transferred to Little Creek VA, to become part of the Underwater Demolition Teams (UDT), also known as Frogmen. The UDT were an elite special-purpose force established by the United States Navy during World War II. Their primary function was to reconnoiter and destroy enemy defensive obstacles on beaches prior to amphibious landings. They were the precursor to the present-day SEALs.

Ray was discharged from the Navy in 1947 and joined the reserves. In 1950 when the Korean war started, he was called to active duty. He was assigned to the USS Grand Canyon AD-28, a destroyer tender (a ship designed to provide maintenance support to a flotilla of destroyers or other small warships). He was also on a tour of duty in the Mediterranean. Ray was awarded several medals: American Defense, Asiatic-Pacific-Campaign two battle stars, Victory medal, Liberation of Philippines, the Presidential Unit citation, as well as other Korean ribbons. Ray got discharged in 1953, and moved to Florida. He then joined the Veterans of Foreign Wars, and became Commander for 9 years; then District Commander for 2 ½ years in Hialeah, FL. Ray is married to Alice and they both live in Pembroke Pines. They have three children and many grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Ray Rivera has been one of the most active members and helpful volunteers of the NASFL Museum since 2006.

___ARM3/C George L. Lord, Jr., USNR
Naval Air Station Fort Lauderdale
Gunnery Instructor from August 1944 to July 1945

_George L. Lord, Jr., enlisted in the Navy at Springfield Illinois on January 19, 1944— 11 days before his 18th birthday. George went to boot camp at Great Lakes, Illinois until about May, at which time he was transferred to Millington, Tennessee for Radar/Radio school. Upon completion, he was transferred to Gunnery School in Miami, Florida. He was given choice for either naval base at Norman Oklahoma, or Miami Florida. George chose Florida as he thought it would be warmer, not knowing he would be working in TBF's. When he completed gunnery school, he was awarded Third Class Petty Officer.

Next, he transferred to the Naval Air Station Fort Lauderdale. While waiting for the next operational school to start, he was assigned to Pilot's torpedo training at this base. As George recalls from his days at NASFL: “We had small battery carts with a small torpedo under it. We also had a battery operated model ship that was started across a concrete pad where pilots steered the cart and dropped torpedoes to try to hit the ship. Our practice area was attached to the Link Trainer Building, currently the NASFL Museum. After we finished operational training I was offered a position on the Beach-Range target practice, on the thirty-caliber range. We had both .30 and .50 calibers. The 30's were mounted on wooden tripods on the beach sand. The 50's were mounted on turrets on raised stands, also on the beach sand. A TBF would fly out to sea, then turn back west, towing a sleeve target. When the plane passed overhead, the students were to open fire. I recall one time when the cable was shot apart, less than 30 feet behind an airplane. As I remember, the pilot was a little put out about this close call.”

In July 1945, George was transferred to North Island in San Diego, CA, to be part of the Squadron Xray – VT41, which was formed of all instructors. He then moved to Oxnard CA, for advanced operational training. In August 1945, he transferred back to North Island to load aboard the USS Ranger for Pearl Harbor.

As he recalls: “The war ended prior to leaving, so we were transferred once more to an old converted Army base at Fort Emery, which the Navy called Coronado Heights. Those of us with enough points for close discharge, were sent to Shore Patrol in the city of Chicago. The others, were sent out to fleet. We rode trains from Chicago in all directions.” On March 3, 1946, he was given his discharge at Great Lakes, Illinois. George currently resides with his wife, in Plantation Florida.

Click on thumbnails to read description

Mike Grady came over to the NASFL Museum, with a sparkling, vintage red 1942 Pirsch Engine Pumper. Mike is a firefighter, historian, restorer and trustee at the Fort Lauderdale Fire Museum— an historical landmark which was established in 1927. This historic building, formerly home to the Fort Lauderdale Fire Station No. 3, has been restored to it's 1927 ambiance. The museum showcases the history, tradition, and service of the Fort Lauderdale Fire-Rescue Department and its heroes. In addition to Saturday hours, tours are available on weekdays upon request. Admission is free. Donations are always welcome. To learn more about this Fire Museum and their amazing, restored engines and exhibits, please visit their interactive website at:

www.fortlauderdalefiremuseum.org

_AS REQUESTED:
We added more T-shirt designs & the NASFL Ensign George H.W. Bush cartoon. The designs are fully customizable! Customize your color, size and style. Available in Men, women and kids sizes. 100% quality guaranteed!

_Visit the NASFL Museum Giftshop: zazzle.com/nasfortlauderdale
For our New Photo Calendars visit: lulu.com/spotlight/nasflmuseum

All proceeds from sales benefit the Naval Air Station Fort Lauderdale Museum

The Broward County Historical Commission honors individuals who are committed to preserving records and artifacts of the County’s heritage, resources and sites as well as raising awareness of local history. The Commission held its 2011 Broward Pioneer Day Event at the Fort Lauderdale History Center. The reception for this event was held on the grounds east of the New River Inn. A recognition ceremony followed, in the area between the King-Cromartie House and the Philemon Bryan House.

As John Rodstrom, Jr., Broward County Mayor mentions: "The pioneer spirit defines Broward County. Charting new territory, overcoming immense hardships, adapting to the environment and paving the way for a new life in a new community was all part of the pioneer's journey."

Mr. Allan McElhiney, President and founder of the Naval Air Station Fort Lauderdale Museum, holds the visionary spirit of preservation. It was because of his efforts that this Museum was established. By doing so, he safeguarded this important piece of our past, to allow us to take a close and personal look at Broward County's rich history. Pioneers leave a legacy for us to remember and cherish.

Mr. McElhiney was inducted into the Broward Pioneers, on December 3, 2011.
CONGRATULATIONS ALLAN!

_ Aspiring Poets Needed for The Amelia Project!

_ Broward County Poet-in-Residence Anastasia Clark presents
Our Poetic Tribute to Aviatrix Amelia Earhart

The Naval Air Station Fort Lauderdale Museum is proud to support this Project!
A chance for Broward area poets to attend free workshops and create poetry inspired by the life and legends of famed pilot Amelia Earhart and to share that poetry with the Amelia Earhart Birthplace Museum and other organizations, including Margate Catharine Young Library, Stirling Road Branch Library, Dania Beach Paul DeMaio Library, Miramar Library, Southwest Regional Library and Weston Library,as a tribute to her during April 2012 National Poetry Month* Also, a chance for poets to read their poems as part of a public presentation at Studio 18 in the Pines*

*Poets will retain copyright to their work. Individual organizations will have final discretion over poetry displayed.

Amelia Earhart was not only a pilot and advocate for women’s causes, but she was also a writer and poet. This project is dedicated to her life and legend.

_ Additional support is being provided by Shae Leighland-Pence, LeatherScrapbook.Com, Inc., WeMerge Magazine, Total Real Estate Consultants, Inc., Naval Air Station Fort Lauderdale Museum, Purchon Travel & Logistics, LLC and The Friends of Stirling Road Branch Library and Studio 18 in the Pines, who is providing a free venue for this special celebration. Thank you to Broward County Cultural Division.

If you want to support this project or participate, please contact Anastasia Clark directly at: goldenrush59@aol.com or call 954-536-8311 for more information. Visit her website at: www.AnastasiaClark.com

On 5 December, 2011 the 66th Flight 19 Memorial Ceremony was conducted at the Naval Air Station Fort Lauderdale Museum building. About 130 people attended, including Jack Seiler Mayor of Fort Lauderdale, Broward Sheriff Al Lamberti with several of his officers, County Commissioner Chip LaMarca, Ismael Bonilla Deputy Director of Broward County Aviation, Navy League President- Commander Tom Melville USN (ret), Sgt. Major Don Bennett USMC (ret) with his Stranahan High School MJROTC Color Guard, and WWII and other war Veterans as well as several members of the Press.

• The Master of Ceremony was Chief Warrant Anthony Atwood, USNR.
• Chaplain Jay Walrond performed the Pledge of Allegiance and the Invocation.
  
• The principal Speaker was Captain Peter Husta, USN - Fourth Fleet Liaison Officer at U.S Southern Command.
• Captain Frank Dailey USNR (ret) spoke about "Prewar 1941 and Postwar 1945: Challenges for Training Commands."
• There was a tribute to the 95 servicemen who died while training at NASFL, including those of Flight 19 and NAS Banana River.
• Mike McGee performed the Flight 19 "Reading of the Names".
• The "Sounding of the Bell" was performed by Donald Prichard, Executive Officer to the Sheriff (served in Iraq).
• The lovely Vocalist Jahida Jorganes sang "God Bless America".
• The master Bugler was Robert Young who began and closed the ceremony.
• There were four NASFL WWII personnel present: George Lord, Aviation Gunner's Mate on TBMs, William Warneke, Aviation Radioman on TBMs, Johnny Johnson, Aviaton Gunner's Mate on TBMs and Jack Bellow, Aviation Gunner's Mate on TBMs.
  

Thank you all for attending, in remembrance of the brave men and women who have served in the defense of our beloved United States of America. May their sacrifice be always remembered.

Thanks for attending,

Allan McElhiney, President
NAS Fort Lauderdale Museum

__In attendance there was a WWII veteran that was stationed here at NASFL, Jack Bellow, USN WWII - Aviation Gunner's Mate on TBMs. He said he was supposed to be the 15th man on Flight 19, but was spared the tragedy when he took leave. His brother called and told him their mother was sick in Philadelphia. As luck had it, another man Corporal Allen Kosner, also asked to be excused from the exercise. The mystery certainly deepens.

__Witness
The Bermuda Triangle
by Louise Hidalgo, Witness Senior Producer for the BBC World Service

The story of the Bermuda Triangle began when five US Navy planes went missing in 1945. No trace of the bombers was ever found - and since then - other ships and planes have diappeared in the same area of the Atlantic Ocean.

Witness hears from one man who took part in the original search for Flight 19: Lt. David White USN WWII.

Download this episode (mp3)
Related Article: Bermuda Triangle plane mystery 'solved' (Sept 13, 2009).