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 22 FEBRUARY 1945 - First
Lieutenant Jarvis T. "Yag"
Yagla, pilot of "Playmate Four Three", departed Morotai at 1540 for Saioe Island about 150 miles West of Morotai. He arrived at his destination and sighted a
PV-1 circling Goanatin Island just South of Saioe Island. He then sighted at PV-1 down on
a shallow reef, 100 yards off the South shore of the island. Five men were observed
standing on the wing. Lieutenant Yagla circled and landed just outside aboard at 1715.
After taking the life rafts and other equipment aboard, Lieutenant Yagla took off and
landed at Morotai at 1905, having flown through heavy weather both ways.
The survivors, all members of PV-1 4953, assigned to Navy Search Squadron, VPS 130,
Fatsu 59, were as follows: Lieutenant William Grizzel, (P), Lt George Poo, (CP), ARM 3/C
E.G. Witherspoon, ACM 3/C R.L. Sheldon, and AMM 3/C Edward P. Reavy. All of the survivors
were in good condition but were wet and cold. They were stripped and wrapped in dry
blankets after being taken aboard.
Lieutenant Grizzel stated that while
on a Bombing and Observation run over Sanghia Island, their ship was hit by anti-aircraft
fire, knocking out one engine and damaging their fuel transfer system. Having insufficient
fuel to reach their base, they successfully ditched their ship at 1230 in a sheltered cove
on the South side of Goanaein Island and awaited rescue at 1730. All men were returned to their organization.
RESCUED
PV-1 CREW:
Lieutenant
William Grizzel, (P), Lieutenant George Poo, (CP), ARM 3/C E.G. Witherspoon, ACM 3/C R.L.
Sheldon, and AMM 3/C Edward P. Reavy, Navy Search Squadron, VPS 130
AIRCRAFT
TYPE:
OA-10A*
USAAF SERNO:
44-33???
CALLSIGN:
"Playmate Four
Three"
CREW:
(Pilot) 1Lt
Jarvis T. Yagla
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*
Aircraft produced at Canadian Vickers Ldt, Cartierville, Quebec, Canada
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