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19 JUNE 1945 - Second Lieutenant Earl Hutchings, pilot of "Playmate 46", departed Zamboanga at 0850, arriving at Sarangani Bay at 1044. At 1145, he received a distress message that a PBJ (B-25) had lost an engine and would ditch 20 miles southwest of Sarangani Bay, just off the coast of Mindanao. Proceeding to the designated area, he sighted the wreckage of a plane and one raft containing four men. Lieutenant Hutchings landed on a very rough sea with 15 foot swells at 06°52'N, 124°45'E and effected the rescue of four survivors. The remaining three members could not be found and were presumed lost. The following men were taken aboard at 1210: (CP) 1Lt Zane, (N) T/Sgt Cope, S/Sgt Slattery, Pfc Gamas, all members of VMB 611. Lieutenant Zane sustained severe lacerations about the face , while the others suffered only minor cuts and bruises. All men were given first aid by the medical technician and returned to their base at Zamboanga, arriving at 1420.

Lieutenant Zane stated that while on a bombing run along the shore of Sarangani Bay, one engine developed a serious oil leak, necessitating his cutting the engine and feathering the propeller.  Unable to maintain altitude on one engine, he was forced to ditch his plane just off the southwest tip of Mindanao. The three missing men were not seen after the crash. The ship broke up and sank almost immediately. Landing and taking off a Catalina in such a high sea was a very hazardous undertaking and its success can be attributed to the skill and determining of Lieutenant hutchings.

Rescued PNJ crew:  1Lt Zane, (N) T/Sgt Cope, S/Sgt Slattery, Pfc Gamas

AIRCRAFT: OA-10A   44-33933   CALLSIGN:  "PLAYMATE 46"    CREW: (P) 2Lt Earl Hutchings, (CP) 2Lt Frank W. Ceva, (N) F/O Earl G. Fugett, (E) Cpl Sherber, (Rad) Cpl Alms, (ST) Cpl McDonald
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