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The heritage of Patrol Squadron 34 (VP-34) dates back to 1 September 1936, when VP-15F was established at NAF Annapolis, Maryland, as a unit of Patrol Wing Five. The squadron’s first commanding officer was Lieutenant Commander George T. Owen. During the next 20 years of its existence, VP-15F was redesignated VP-53, VP-73, VPB-73, back to VP-73, VP-AM-4, and finally VP-34. One of the squadron’s more notable commanding officers was Lieutenant Commander A. P. “Putt” Storrs III, who was
Lest We Forget . . .
a member of the Navy’s “Sea Hawks” aerobatic flying team in the late 1920s. Another noteworthy commanding officer was Lieutenant Commander H. C. “Hank” Miller, who trained the Doolittle flyers in carrier takeoff techniques for their 18 April 1942 Tokyo raid from the USS Hornet (CV-8).
The first aircraft assigned to the squadron as VP-15F were Martin PM-2s and P3M-2s, followed by Consolidated P2Y-2s and then a series of PBY Catalina models that were flown throughout World War II. World War II began for VP-53 in 1939, as its aircrews flew neutrality patrol missions over the Atlantic in their P2Ys to observe warship activities of the warring nations. Switching to PBYs in 1940, VP/VPB-73 flew more than 38,000 hours between 7 December 1941 and V-J Day. Ranging from above the Arctic Circle to below the equator, VPB-73 became the last PBY squadron to fly in the Atlantic area after the war. During 1943, the squadron averaged more than 40 hours per flying day. It is credited with sinking at least one German U-boat and scoring several probables. One intrepid VPB-73 PBY crew successfully drove off a German FW-200 four-engine bomber attempting to attack an Allied convoy. No ship was ever sunk in a convoy protected by the squadron. Following World War II and redcsignation to VP-AM-4, then VP-34, the squadron flew various models of the Martin PBM Mariner while based throughout the Atlantic and Caribbean areas, until its disestablishment 15 June 1956.
Bob Lawson
Proceedings/June 1994
USS Chicago (CA-14/-29/-136/CG-11/! SSN-721), 14-18 Sept. 94, Charleston, SC- Contact: P. Schlesinger, 18884 Coppermine Rd., Rogers, AR 72756. 501-925-2663.