MISSION REPORT - RESCUES - 08

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22 DECEMBER 1944
First Lieutenant Harold W. Strub, pilot of "Playmate Four Two", departed Morotai at 0730 on a special mission to Eastern Mindanao to rescue survivors on Ceranga Point; arrived at 1100, landed and taxied inshore. After considerable difficulty due to a rough sea, he took all eight survivors aboard. After jettisoning 550 gallons of fuel, Lieutenant Strub took off and returned to his base at 1440. The survivors, all members of the 371st Bomb Squadron, 307th Bomb Group, are listed as follows: First Lieutenant F.C. Sandesse, Second Lieutenant L. Corliss, First Lieutenant S. Puiss, Tech Sergeant L. Cubec, Tech Sergeant W.J. Mosher, Staff Sergeant J. Valenciano, Staff Sergeant L. Ligon, and Flight Officer C.C. Steiger. They were met by members of their squadron and taken to their base. Due to the rough sea, the rescue ship received moderate damage to the hull in landing and take off.

The following was written up by the Operations Officer after debriefing the crew and submitted with Squadron History:

0730:

Take off. Proceeded to Carago through rainy weather.

1100:

Located survivors on beach and proceeded to land. The sea was very rough and swells were 4 to 6 feet high. The survivors were forced to swim from shore to plane because of the rough water. One man could not make it so the navigator and the rescued navigator put out in a life raft to get him and also 4 more of the crew who were in the water hanging to a floating log. None of the men had serious injuries. The men were picked up at 1145. Engines were started several times during the rescue to keep plane a safe distance from the shore. Dumped 550 gallons of gas and prepared to take off.

1200:

Take off. Proceeded to home base.

1330:

Sent in ETA of 1430, position aport and note that 8 men were rescued. Weather was very poor on return. Radio was operating poorly on entire trip. Hull of the plane was dented during mission. Nav compartment and nose were full of water. Wheel wells were dented.

1440:

Landed. Survivors picked up by their squadron, 371st Sq, 307th Bomb Gp: 1st Lt. K.C. Sanderson; 2nd Lt. L.B. Corliss; 2nd Lt. S.P. Piusz; T/Sgt M.L. Dubos; T/Sgt H.I. Mosher; S/Sgt J.N. Valenciano; S/Sgt L.N. Ligon; F/O C.C. Steiger

RESCUED CREWMEMBERS:  371st Bomb Squadron, 307th Bomb Group
1st Lt. K.C. Sanderson, 2nd Lt. L.B. Corliss, 1st Lt. S.P. Piusz, T/Sgt M.L. Dubos, T/Sgt H.I. Mosher, S/Sgt J.N. Valenciano, S/Sgt L.N. Ligon, F/O C.C. Steiger

AIRCRAFT TYPE: OA-10A*
USAAF SERNO: 44-33874  (CV-324)**
CALLSIGN: 
"Playmate 42"
CREW:
(Pilot) 1st Lt. Harold W. Strub; (Co-Pilot) 1st Lt. John S. Denison; (Navigator) 1st Lt. Alvin H. Haas; (Engineer) Private First Class Alfred Chieca; (Radio) S/Sgt Alphonse O. Roberge; (Radar) Sergeant Christopher A. Pavone; (Surgical Tech) Sergeant Dean W. Renner 

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The narrative of these rescues was compiled and published in April 1946 from logbooks of pilots, notes, letters, and other
information by secretary Marina G. de Guzman in Pampanga, Philippines.

  * Aircraft produced at Canadian Vickers Ldt, Cartierville, Quebec, Canada
** Canadian Vickers contract number that was unique to each aircraft produced by at the Cartierville, Quebec plan
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