VPB-118

Patrol Bombing Squadron 118
Active	1 July 1944 – 11 December 1945
Country	United States of America
Branch	United States Navy
Type	squadron
Role	Maritime patrol
Engagements	World War II
Aircraft flown
Patrol	PB4Y-2

VPB-118 was a Patrol Bombing Squadron of the U.S. Navy. The squadron was established as Bombing Squadron 118 (VB-118) on 1 July 1944, redesignated Patrol Bombing Squadron 118 (VPB-118) on 1 October 1944, and disestablished on 11 December 1945. ^[1]

Contents

• Operational history
• Aircraft assignments
• Home port assignments
• See also
• References

Operational history

• 1 July – 15 November 1944: VB-118 was established at NAAS Camp Kearney, California, as a heavy bombing squadron flying the PB4Y-1 Liberator under the operational control of FAW-14. After completing a four-week ground school and limited flight training on three weary PB4Y-1 Liberators, the squadron was relocated to NAAS Crows Landing, California, for advanced flight training. On 20 August, VB-118 began receiving its first PB4Y-2 Privateers. The squadron stood down from the training syllabus in mid-November to prepare for the upcoming trans-Pacific flight to Hawaii. On 15 November the ground support personnel boarded USS General R. L. Howze for transportation to Hawaii.
• 20 November – December 1944: VPB-118's aircraft departed California for NAS Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii, arriving by 21 November. During the next month the squadron came under FAW-2 while undergoing further training in preparation for combat. On 10 December a detachment of aircraft was sent to Midway Island to conduct operational patrols, returning on 22 December.
• 6 January – Apr 1945: VPB-118 departed NAS Kaneohe Bay for the combat zone, arriving at Tinian, Marianas Islands, on 10 January. Operational control of the squadron passed to FAW-1. Routine operational patrols continued from Tinian through mid-April. Squadron targets attacked included Truk, Iwo Jima, Yawata Shima, and Okinawa.
• 22 April 1945: VPB-118 was transferred to Yontan Airfield, Okinawa. Administrative headquarters staff of the squadron remained on Tinian. Patrols and antishipping sweeps commenced upon the squadron's arrival. Positioning the squadron on Okinawa had become necessary due to the lack of sufficient targets in the patrol sectors around Tinian.
• 2 May 1945: The squadron was taken off patrols to conduct a special attack on Kanoya Air Field, in southern Japan. Third Fleet intelligence had indications that a large attack force of Mitsubishi G4M Betty bombers was being formed to transport Baka bombs in an attempt to wipe out U.S. combat vessels located off Okinawa. The six remaining Privateers of VPB-118 were the only aircraft available on short notice. The strike caught the enemy totally by surprise. The damage inflicted on the airfield and assembled aircraft prevented the enemy's intended operation from being carried out.
• 6 May 1945: Lieutenants Montgomery and J. A. Lasater were patrolling an area off the southern coast of Korea when they encountered a number of enemy destroyers and a small tanker. In the attack, the tanker exploded just as Montgomery's Privateer was entering its bomb run. 20-foot (6.1 m) of the ship's Hawser and the king post strap were imbedded in the starboard wing. Montgomery managed to return to Okinawa on three engines but Lasater elected to continue the patrol alone. He and his crew never returned and were listed as missing in action.
• 7 May 1945: Five aircraft were sent on a patrol off the coast of Korea. After shooting down one Japanese observation plane, Lieutenant Farwell and his crew attacked a 2,000-ton tanker. While completing a bomb run that finally sank the ship, Farwell's Privateer was struck repeatedly by heavy anti-aircraft (AA) fire. He ditched the aircraft with no casualties. As their squadron mates flew air cover above, a PBM landed within 30 minutes and retrieved the crew. One of the other Privateers flown by Lieutenant Norman M. Keiser sank a 4,000-ton freighter despite fire from its two destroyer escorts. In the same action Keiser and his crew strafed a second vessel, forcing it to beach ashore. Later on the same patrol, Keiser and his crew strafed and set on fire a third vessel. For his courage under fire and determination at pressing home the attack, Lieutenant Keiser was awarded the Navy Cross.
• 11 May 1945: The pace of combat left the squadron with only three serviceable aircraft which were in need of major repairs. It became necessary for the squadron to return to Tinian for refit and maintenance of the aircraft and crew rest. The squadron remained at Yontan Airfield until mid-May when it was relieved by VPB-109. Prior to the squadron's departure it provided support to VPB-109 to familiarize them with mission requirements. In the first two days of VPB-109's stay on Okinawa, a VPB-118 Privateer accompanied them on patrol to familiarize them with the territory. On one of these missions, Lieutenant Lloyd's aircraft had an engine shot out and was pocked with 180 bullet holes.
• 2 June 1945: The squadron was ready to return to Okinawa from Tinian when disaster struck. One aircraft caught fire while undergoing last-minute maintenance, and one more was destroyed and two others damaged when a crippled B-29 crashed into the parking area. All the squadron welfare and recreation gear plus most of the personal baggage was lost. The aircraft were quickly replaced and after only a few days’ delay, VPB-118 was back on Okinawa by 7 June 1945 continuing its antishipping patrols, conducting strikes on land targets, and dropping mines in harbors throughout the Korean coastline and Kamino-shima.
• 8 August 1945: Lieutenant (jg) J. R. Park and crew were killed during an attack on an enemy freighter in the Tsushima Straits. The vessel had been set on fire by strafing, and when Park made his final bombing pass the ship's cargo detonated when the aircraft was directly above it. The ship apparently was carrying munitions and nothing remained of the ship or aircraft after the explosion.
• 10 August 1945: Offensive patrols ceased. Regular patrols continued but the aircraft still carried defensive armament and instructions "not to attack, unless attacked."
• 1 September – November 1945: VPB-118 was relocated to Yonabaru Airfield, Okinawa. Several aircrews were sent to Tinian for R&R. The airfields at Yonabaru were in such bad shape that the squadron was not able to resume patrols until 24 September. A sudden typhoon on 9 October compounded the miserable conditions. On 24 October VPB-118 received orders to report to Tinian for aircraft overhaul and maintenance. The work at Tinian was completed on 3 November, and the squadron returned to Yonabaru.
• 14 November – 3 December 1945: The squadron received orders to begin packing for the return to the US. VPB-118 began its journey homeward with departure on 18 November from Yonabaru bound for NAS Kaneohe Bay. On 27 November the squadron boarded USS Prince William en route to NAS San Diego, California, arriving on 3 December.
• 11 December 1945: VPB-118 was disestablished at NAS San Diego. ^[1]

Aircraft assignments

The squadron was assigned the following aircraft, effective on the dates shown: ^[1]

• PB4Y-2 - August 1944

Home port assignments

The squadron was assigned to these home ports, effective on the dates shown: ^[1]

• NAAS Camp Kearney, California - 1 July 1944
• NAAS Crows Landing, California - August 1944
• NAS Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii - 20 November 1944
• NAS San Diego, California - 3 December 1945

See also

• Maritime patrol aircraft
• List of inactive United States Navy aircraft squadrons
• List of United States Navy aircraft squadrons
• List of squadrons in the Dictionary of American Naval Aviation Squadrons
• History of the United States Navy

Related Research Articles

Patrol Squadron 24 (VP-24) was a Patrol Squadron of the U.S. Navy. The squadron was established as Bombing Squadron One Hundred Four (VB-104) on 10 April 1943, redesignated as Patrol Bombing Squadron One Hundred Four (VPB-104) on 1 October 1944, redesignated as Patrol Squadron One Hundred Four (VP-104) on 15 May 1946, redesignated Heavy Patrol Squadron (Landplane) Four (VP-HL-4) on 15 November 1946, redesignated Patrol Squadron Twenty Four (VP-24) on 1 September 1948, the third squadron to be assigned the VP-24 designation, redesignated Attack Mining Squadron Thirteen (VA-HM-13) on 1 July 1956, redesignated Patrol Squadron Twenty Four (VP-24) on 1 July 1959 and disestablished 30 April 1995.

VP-22 was a long-lived Patrol Squadron of the U.S. Navy, nicknamed the Dragons from 1944 to 1950, and the Blue Geese from 1951 to 1994. It was established as Bombing Squadron VB-102 on 15 February 1943, redesignated Patrol Bombing Squadron VPB-102 on 1 October 1944, redesignated VP-102 on 15 May 1946, redesignated Heavy Patrol Squadron (Landplane) VP-HL-2 on 15 November 1946, redesignated VP-22 on 1 September 1948 and disestablished on 31 March 1994. It was the third squadron to be designated VP-22, the first VP-22 was disestablished, merged with VP-101 on 18 April 1942 and the second VP-22 was redesignated VPB-22 on 1 October 1944.

VP-48 was a Patrol Squadron of the U.S. Navy. It was established as VP-208 on 15 December 1942, redesignated Patrol Bombing Squadron VPB-208 on 1 October 1944, redesignated VP-208 on 15 May 1946, redesignated Medium Patrol Squadron (Seaplane) VP-MS-8 on 15 November 1946, redesignated VP-48 on 1 September 1948 and disestablished on 31 December 1949. It was the first squadron to be assigned the VP-48 designation. A second VP-48 was established in May 1946 and disestablished on 23 May 1991.

VPB-103 was a Patrol Bombing Squadron of the U.S. Navy. The squadron was established as Bombing Squadron 103 (VB-103) on 15 March 1943, redesignated as Patrol Bombing Squadron 103 (VPB-103) on 1 October 1944 and disestablished on 31 August 1945.

VPB-109 was a Patrol Bombing Squadron of the U.S. Navy. The squadron was established as Bombing Squadron 109 (VB-109) on 2 August 1943, redesignated as Patrol Bombing Squadron 109 (VPB-109) on 1 October 1944, and disestablished on 12 October 1945.

VP-21 was a Patrol Squadron of the U.S. Navy. The squadron was established as Established as Bombing Squadron 111 (VB-111) on 30 July 1943, redesignated Patrol Bombing Squadron 111 (VPB-111) on 1 October 1944, redesignated Patrol Squadron 111 (VP-111) on 15 May 1946, redesignated Heavy Patrol Squadron (Landplane) 11 (VP-HL-11) on 15 November 1946, redesignated Patrol Squadron 21 (VP-21) on 1 September 1948 and disestablished on 21 November 1969. It was the fifth squadron to be designated VP-21, the first VP-21 was redesignated VP-45 on 1 July 1939, the second VP-21 was redesignated VP-1 on 30 July 1940, the third VP-21 was disestablished on 18 April 1942 and the fourth VP-21 was redesignated VPB-21 on 1 October 1944.

VP-25 was a Patrol Squadron of the U.S. Navy. The squadron was established as Bombing Squadron 115 (VB-115) on 1 October 1943, redesignated Patrol Bombing Squadron 115 (VPB-115) on 1 October 1944, redesignated Patrol Squadron 115 (VP-115) on 15 May 1946, redesignated Heavy Patrol Squadron (Landplane) 13 (VP-HL-13) on 15 November 1946, redesignated Patrol Squadron 25 (VP-25) on 1 September 1948 and disestablished on 1 January 1950. It was the third squadron to be designated VP-25, the first VP-25 was redesignated VP-23 on 1 August 1941 and the second VP-25 was disestablished on 28 June 1946.

VP-28 was a Patrol Squadron of the U.S. Navy. The squadron was established as Bombing Squadron 108 (VB-108) on 1 July 1943, redesignated Patrol Bombing Squadron 108 (VPB-108) on 1 October 1944, redesignated Patrol Squadron 108 (VP-108) on 15 May 1946, redesignated Heavy Patrol Squadron (Landplane) 8 (VP-HL-8) on 15 November 1946, redesignated Patrol Squadron 28 (VP-28) on 1 September 1948 and disestablished on 1 October 1969. It was the second squadron to be designated VP-28, the first VP-28 had that designation in 1944 and 1946.

VP-106 was a Patrol Squadron of the U.S. Navy. The squadron was established as Bombing Squadron 106 (VB-106) on 1 June 1943, redesignated Patrol Bombing Squadron 106 (VPB-106) on 1 October 1944, redesignated Patrol Squadron 106 (VP-106) on 15 May 1946 and disestablished on 5 October 1946.

VP-123 was a Patrol Squadron of the U.S. Navy. The squadron was established as Bombing Squadron 140 (VB-140) on 21 April 1943, redesignated Patrol Bombing Squadron 140 (VPB-140) on 1 October 1944, redesignated Patrol Bombing Squadron 123 (VPB-123) on 20 November 1944, redesignated Patrol Squadron 123 (VP-123) on 15 May 1946 and disestablished on 1 October 1946.

VP-7 was a Patrol Squadron of the U.S. Navy. The squadron was established as Bombing Squadron 119 (VB-119) on 15 August 1944, redesignated Patrol Bombing Squadron 119 (VPB-119) on 1 October 1944, redesignated Patrol Squadron 119 (VP-119) on 15 May 1946, redesignated Heavy Patrol Squadron (Landplane) 9 (VP-HL-9) on 15 November 1946, redesignated Medium Patrol Squadron (Landplane) 7 (VP-ML-7) on 25 June 1947, redesignated Patrol Squadron 7 (VP-7) on 1 September 1948 and disestablished on 8 October 1969. It was the second squadron to be designated VP-7, the first VP-7 was redesignated VP-11 on 1 July 1939.

VP-133 was a Patrol Squadron of the U.S. Navy. The squadron was established as Bombing Squadron 133 (VB-133) on 22 March 1943, redesignated Patrol Bombing Squadron 133 (VPB-133) on 1 October 1944, redesignated Patrol Squadron 133 (VP-133) on 15 May 1946 and disestablished on 17 June 1946.

VP-142 was a Patrol Squadron of the U.S. Navy. The squadron was established as Bombing Squadron 142 (VB-142) on 1 June 1943, redesignated Patrol Bombing Squadron 142 (VPB-142) on 1 October 1944, redesignated Patrol Squadron 142 (VP-142) on 15 May 1946 and disestablished on 14 June 1946.

VPB-121 was a Patrol Bombing Squadron of the U.S. Navy. The squadron was established as Patrol Squadron 19 (VP-19) on 1 October 1937, redesignated Patrol Squadron 43 (VP-43) on 1 July 1939, redesignated Patrol Squadron 81 (VP-81) on 1 July 1941, redesignated Patrol Bombing Squadron 121 (VPB-121) on 1 October 1944 and disestablished on 1 June 1946.

VPB-112 was a Patrol Bombing Squadron of the U.S. Navy. The squadron was established as Bombing Squadron 112 (VB-112) on 8 August 1943, redesignated Patrol Bombing Squadron 112 (VPB-112) on 1 October 1944 and disestablished on 1 September 1945.

VPB-117 was a Patrol Bombing Squadron of the U.S. Navy. The squadron was established as Bombing Squadron 117 (VB-117) on 1 February 1944, redesignated Patrol Bombing Squadron 117 (VPB-117) on 1 October 1944 and disestablished on 15 November 1945.

VP-HL-1 was a Heavy Patrol Squadron (Landplane) of the U.S. Navy. The squadron was established as Bombing Squadron 116 (VB-116) on 1 December 1943, redesignated Patrol Bombing Squadron 116 (VPB-116) on 1 October 1944, redesignated Patrol Squadron 116 (VP-116) on 15 May 1946, redesignated Heavy Patrol Squadron (Landplane) 1 (VP-HL-1) on 15 November 1946 and disestablished on 22 May 1947.

VP-HL-3 was a Heavy Patrol Squadron (Landplane) of the U.S. Navy. The squadron was established as Bombing Squadron 138 (VB-138) on 15 March 1943, redesignated Patrol Bombing Squadron 138 (VPB-138) on 1 October 1944, redesignated Patrol Bombing Squadron 124 (VPB-124) on 15 December 1944, redesignated Patrol Squadron 124 (VP-124) on 15 May 1946, redesignated Heavy Patrol Squadron (Landplane) 3 (VP-HL-3) on 15 November 1946 and disestablished on 22 May 1947.

VP-HL-5 was a Heavy Patrol Squadron (Landplane) of the U.S. Navy. The squadron was established as Bombing Squadron 143 (VB-143) on 15 June 1943, redesignated Patrol Bombing Squadron 143 (VPB-143) on 1 October 1944, redesignated Patrol Squadron 143 (VP-143) on 15 May 1946, redesignated Heavy Patrol Squadron (Landplane) 5 (VP-HL-5) on 15 November 1946 and disestablished on 27 May 1947.

VPB-150 was a Patrol Bombing Squadron of the U.S. Navy. The squadron was established as Bombing Squadron 150 (VB-150) on 15 September 1943, redesignated Patrol Bombing Squadron 150 (VPB-150) on 1 October 1944 and disestablished on 20 July 1945.

References

This article incorporates text from the public domain Dictionary of American Naval Aviation Squadrons .