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01 OCTOBER 1944 - First Lieutenant John R. Dickinson, pilot of the rescue ship
"Daylight One Three",
landed in an extremely rough sea, one and one half miles off the Southeast coast of Waigeo Island and rescued Lieutenant John McGee of the 419th Fighter Squadron, who
was forced to ditch his disabled P-38 at sea because of engine failure. Lieutenant McGee,
in his life raft, was rapidly being swept ashore over a rocky reef. Had he not been
rescued, his chances of reaching shore alive would have been extremely remote. On landing
in heavy seas, the rescue ship received extensive damage to the hull and rapidly filled
with water. The continuous bailing by the crew prevented the ship from capsizing. Lieutenant
Dickinson radioed for help. A PT boat arrived at 2400 stood by during the
remainder of the long night. The sea increased in fury during the night, and
all crewmembers became violently sea sick. At 0600, 2nd October, the damaged
plane was towed 15 miles into a sheltered cove where it was beached. It was
so severely damaged, take-off was impossible. All secret of confidential
papers and equipment were either destroyed or removed and these were
returned to their base by PT boat. A repair crew was flown back to the
stricken ship where temporary repairs were made and the ship flown back to
its base. It was again in operation within a few months. Lieutenant
Dickinson displayed great courage and skill in effecting the rescue, under
such hazardous conditions, knowing full well that his ship would suffer
severe damage on landing in such a sea. However, he felt that the
possibility of saving Lieutenant McGee was worth the chance, thereby
upholding the highest traditions of the rescue service. He is to be highly
commended on his gallant and dangerous rescue. (Read the
timeline given by the crew)
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Photos: [Photo-1]
[Photo-2] [Photo-3]
[Photo-4] [Photo-5]
[Photo-6] [Photo-7]
Plane
No. 44-33878. Call: Daylight #13.
Timeline:
1600
Received information from Operation on "Snafu" off Cape Momfafa,
Waigeo Island.
1645
Took off Middleburg Island.
1620
Contact "Otto" by radio (4475). Received bearing to "Snafu"
from Middleburg 270°
1645
Arrived Cape Momfafa, but could not find four "Uncles" circling
"Snafu". Proceeded North around Waigeo Island for ten minutes, but still
did not see circling "Uncles". Returned to Cape Momfafa.
1655
Contacted "Otto" received fighter grid pos of 27 Quimby 28. Also at
this time made contact with "Panther Black", four "Uncles"
circling "Snafu" and received from them a pin point position.
33 miles North Jeffman Island, 1-1/2 miles off shore Waigeo.
1710
Sighted "Uncles" circling "Snafu".
1715
Sighted snafu "Uncle" pilot in life raft with Mae West on.
1720
Circled again, pilot dropped sea marker dye, and Sgt Jennings dropped smoke
bomb within fifty ft of position. Difficult to establish rough state of sea
due to poor light. Pilot made decision to land because snafued pilot was
approaching rocky cliff with large breakers. Would have been impossible to
make shore landing in life raft without being killed.
1730
Landed to the South 100 yards north of pilot. Impossible to see pilot from
landing position due to swells six to ten ft high. Contacted "Panther
Black" to direct us from air to pilot in life raft. More later...
AIRCRAFT
TYPE: OA-10A*
USAAF SERNO:
44-33878
(CV-328)**
CALLSIGN:
"Daylight
One Three"
CREW:
(Pilot) 1Lt John R. Dickinson,
(Co-Pilot)
2Lt Larry E. Bormann,
(Navigator) 2Lt
Charles E. Carver Jr., (Engineer) S/Sgt Orel M. Lawson,
(Radio Opr) Sgt William D. Craighead, (Radar) Sgt Robert J. Jennings, (Surgical Tech) Sgt
Joseph W. Gutman.
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*
Aircraft produced at Canadian Vickers Ldt, Cartierville, Quebec, Canada
** Canadian Vickers contract number that was unique to each
aircraft produced by at Cartierville
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