Proud member of VP-871 / VP-19

Comments: I joined VP-871 in February 1951 as an air crewman. In the fall of 1951, I was assigned to Communications. I served the squadron in Communications while we were in Alameda, Barbers Point, Atsugi, Iwakuni, Kimpo and Guam.

Upon VP-871s return from Korea to Alameda in 1952, I was designated Air Intelligence Specialist, At that the time the Squadron changed designation from VP-871 to VP-19 and replaced our PB4Y2s with P2Vs.

In 1951 with the squadron at Sand Point, I first met my future wife Marie. She was Wave stationed there. At this writing, we have been married fiftysix years.

We had great times being in the squadron and of course extremely sad moments when we lost friends in crashes off Smith Island and in Japan.

I do recall a very funny event when operating out of Iwakuni, Japan. One night, the Officers Club caught fire. The noise from liquor bottles popping could be heard most everywhere. To help put out the fire, we enlisted men rushed to the club. In truth we ran to save the booze for ourselves. We did a decent job of firefighting and took our reward by confiscating many fine bottles of CC and Johnny Walker.

Since leaving the Navy in late 1954, I had maintained contact with a number of my squadron mates. However, as the years flew by, more and more of my friends passed away. The last one I had contact with was Bob Klinger. Bob passed away October 11, 2006 and his wife Myrtle followed this year.

I am seventy-seven now and look upon my days as a member of VP-871/VP19 with deep pride and fond memories.

Regards to all

Maurice (SHEP) Shapiro

Keywords:

Proud member of VP-871 / VP-19

Comments: I joined VP-871 in February 1951 as an air crewman. In the fall of 1951, I was assigned to Communications. I served the squadron in Communications while we were in Alameda, Barbers Point, Atsugi, Iwakuni, Kimpo and Guam.

Upon VP-8871s return from Korea to Alameda in 1952, I was designated Air Intelligence Specialist, At that the time the Squadron changed designation from VP-871 to VP-19 and replaced our PB4Y2s with P2Vs.

In 1951 with the squadron at Sand Point, I first met my future wife Marie. She was Wave stationed there. At this writing, we have been married fiftysix years.

We had great times being in the squadron and of course extremely sad moments when we lost friends in crashes off Smith Island and in Japan.

I do recall a very funny event when operating out of Iwakuni, Japan. One night, the Officers Club caught fire. The noise from liquor bottles popping could be heard most everywhere. To help put out the fire, we enlisted men rushed to the club. In truth we ran to save the booze for ourselves. We did a decent job of firefighting and took our reward by confiscating many fine bottles of CC and Johnny Walker.

Since leaving the Navy in late 1954, I had maintained contact with a number of my squadron mates. However, as the years flew by, more and more of my friends passed away. The last one I had contact with was Bob Klinger. Bob passed away October 11, 2006 and his wife Myrtle followed this year.

I am seventy-seven now and look upon my days as a member of VP-871/VP19 with deep pride and fond memories.

Regards to all

Maurice (SHEP) Shapiro

Keywords:

Anyone that was in VP-871 or VP-19

Comments: Looking for anyone that was in VP-871 or VP-19 from 1951 - 1955

Keywords:

VP-871 DEC. 1951 - 1953

Comments:

Keywords: Joined VP-871 Dec 1951 sent Atsugi Jan 1952 Vp-871 changed to VP-19. Feb 1953 VP-19 Hawaii and Guam 1953 1954 Atsugi Vp-19 crew#4. left squardron april 1955 to Sherman Field ATU-206 Pensacola,discharged march 1957

VP-871 NAS Oakland 1956

Comments: After a 4-year hitch in the USN 1952-1956, and four cruises to Korea (Task Force 77)in tail-hook squadrons ATG-1, CAG-9, I completed my 8-year committment in VP-871 and VP-872 NAS Oakland flying P2V-4's,and -5's ASW (APS-20 Radar)missions off the California coast. We also flew long range week-end flights to Hawaii, GITMO, Sand Point NAS, and a two week stint to Rota, Spain. The best time of my life.

On one flight to Sand Point near Mt. Shasta at 10 Angels, I looked out of the starboard window and there were a gaggle of geese flying in formation off the starboard wing. We outran them, of course, but it reminded all of us that serious damage could result if we had been on the same flight path. Exciting times and I only regret that I did not stay in for the full 20. Love that Neptune.

Kenneth E. Parker, ATR3c VP-1 Whidbey Island, VP-19 (NAS Alameda), (VP-871, VP-872 NAS Oakland)1956-1960

Keywords: Charlie How, Week-End Warriors, NAS Oakland, CA, Golden Gators.

F 86D

Comments: Jeep Carrier CVE 86 Sitkoh Bay Anyone remember the collision at sea in 52/53? I do remember it broke off the port anchor at tne shank and buried it in to starboard bridgewing of a Luckenbach freighter.

Keywords: F86-D We brought over about 35 every trip. We made a trip every two weeks. Where in Hell are all the aircraft?

WAS IN SISTER UNIT VP-6, ATSUGI '51,2

Comments: I remember you guys visiting our barracks at ATSUgi Japan--with your shoulder holstered '38s.. You had good mission stories. . as did we... I'd like to know more now . . . CIA involved ? Did you relly drop delayed mines in the Yangtze River ?.. .. I was combat intel on the P2V-3W's and a few times on the non radar (APS-20) flights.. I was grounded for squad political reasons the day B4 my next skeduled flight was shot down by the Soviets off Vladivostok. After 50 years, I don't recall your names--but do you have any unit history to direct or send me ? Your planes were huge ! ours were fantastic ! ---Thank you best regards /Chuck Fuller

Keywords: CIC ASW P2V Neptunes