07 DECEMBER 1944
First Lieutenant Leroy R. Nelson, pilot of "Playmate Two One", departed Morotai at 0520 on a mission to search for a Navy PBY reported to have gone down somewhere on the coast off Mindanao, between Saragani Bay and Pallee Harbor. At 0745, Playmate picked up a message that there was another Snafu at 13 Olson. Responded that we would search after strike was over. By 0930 we had completed the search of Mindanao coast to no avail. At 1045 the rescue ship landed at Dipolog to drop off passengers, cargo and a photographer. Took off again at 1100 for orbit point to rendezvous with fighter escort. We were unable to contact "Rainbow 1", and there was heavy weather in the area. Visibility was less than 1/2 mile in heavy rain. Orbited at Sipalay. With the weather deteriorating, rescue ship headed for Tolong, but sighted nothing. Landed at Baliango and took aboard 2Lt C.E. Ramey, 72nd Bomber Squadron, 5th Bomb Group, who had bailed out of his B-24 (#J-347), November 16th. He was in excellent health. Major Naranjes, AUS and orderly were also picked up to be taken to Morotai. Daylight departed Baliango at 1420 and headed for home base. On the way we circled Misamis Fort, but drew no fire and no activity was sighted. We were now on instruments 75% of the time due to poor visibility in heavy rain squalls. Arrived at base at 1830.

MISSION: Search for Navy PBY - timeline documented by the crew and submitted with Squadron History

0520:	Take-off. Received message by courier; Navy search requested that we look for a PBY downed somewhere on coast of Mindanao, between Saragani Bay and Pellee Harbor.
0745:	Picked up message: Snafu at 13 Olson. Will investigate after strike
0930:	Completed search of Mindanao Coast. Negative
1030:	Buzzed collection point at Baliangao. Flag flying. Will return after strike.
1045:	Landed Dipolog. Unloaded equipment and passengers. Photographer was also left there.
1100:	Took off for orbit point, fighter escort to meet us there.
1200:	Unable to contact or rendezvous with Rainbow 1. Heavy rain squalls over entire area. Orbiting at Sipalay. Wind 360� 12M
1207:	Weather poor - proceeding to Old Tolong, Negros
1230:	Buzzed Tolong - no sightings
1320:	Landed Balinagao and picked up 2nd Lt C. E Ramey, 0697497, 72nd Sq, 5th Bomb Gp, who had bailed out of B-24 #J-347, Nov 16. He was in excellent health. Major Narajes, AUS, and orderly were also picked up to be taken to Morotai.
1420:	Took off and headed for home base.
1435:	Circled Misamis Fort. Drew no fire, no activity sighted
1500:	On instruments 75% of time. Heavy rain squalls.
1800:	Still on instruments. Continued rain squalls.
1830:	Landed

RESCUED PERSONNEL: 72nd Bomber Squadron, 5th Bomb Group - 2Lt Claude E. Raney, (Serno. 0-597497), Also Transported were AUS Major Naranjes, and Philippine guerilla, Richard Cortes Sr.

AIRCRAFT: OA-10A*  
USAAF SERNO: 44-33879  (CV-330)**
CALLSIGN:  "Playmate 21" 
CREW: (Pilot) 1st Lt. Leroy R. Nelson; (Co-pilot) 2nd Lt. Arthur G. Carothers; (Navigator) 1st Lt. MacPherson A. Lester; (Enginneer) Tech Sergeant John Y. Cunningham Jr.; (Radio) Sergeant Clarence E. Friestadt; (Radar) Staff Sergeant George E. Bock; (Surgical Tech) Staff Sergeant Franklin C. Lobdell