sky-raider
Recruit
- 2
- Jul 31, 2005
Hello,
I am doing some research for someone whose father, Richard Louis Potter, served with VMF-113 in the Pacific. I am wondering if you have or can help me find some more information on VMF-113 and perhaps even Lt. Richard Potter? I would really appreciate any help with my search.
Lt. Richard Louis Potter was with VMF 113 from August 1943 when it was formed at El Toro to December 1944 when he left Engebi to return to the States.
As of 31 August 1943 VMF-113 was part of the Marine Base Defense Aircraft Group 41. MAG-41 was first organized at El Toro, California in January, 1943. The unit was redesignated to its current name in 1944. MAG-41's mission was to supervise the training of attached squadrons for combat duty in the Pacific Theater. By WWII's end, approximately 20 fighter, dive and torpedo bomber squadrons had been trained by the Group. MAG-41 was subsequently deactivated in October, 1945.
The Squaron Commander of VMF-113 at that time was Maj. Loren D. Everton a double ace (12 victories) who flew with VMF-212 at Gaudalcanal prior to becoming the CO of VMF 113. Several of the senior pilots of VMF-113 were from VMF-212, among them Frank Drury (8 victories), and Robert "Pop" Flaherty. Other names of pilots, Charles Kimak, CO after Everton, Joe Schellack, Andrew Jones (author of "The Corsair Years"), Emmitt Anglin, Lew Cunningham, Bill Degan, John Zoellner, Joe Tunno, Al Hoffman. Art Buchwald, the columnist, was an ordinance man in this squadron.
The aircraft carrier that they VMF-113 from San Diego to Ewa was the Bunker Hill.
From Ewa to the Central Pacific they took the White Plains. Once in the Central Pacific I think they were pretty much on the land though they may have flown off carriers on occasion.
Lt. Potter's flight log is, regrettably, no longer around so I can't say for sure about carrier activity once they were in the Central Pacific. Maybe you can help me with this, did land based squadrons also fly off carriers?
Lt. Potter's is believed to have had a personal aircraft, the name of the plane was the "Hot Potato".
I have a copy of his service record which shows mission flown etc. I could send you a copy if this would be at all helpful. It does show strikes at Wotje in June, 1944, Mille and Jaluit in August 1944. He also flew bombing missions to Ponope in the the Carolines.
I deeply appreciate any help you can give me,
Kind Regards,
Frederick
I am doing some research for someone whose father, Richard Louis Potter, served with VMF-113 in the Pacific. I am wondering if you have or can help me find some more information on VMF-113 and perhaps even Lt. Richard Potter? I would really appreciate any help with my search.
Lt. Richard Louis Potter was with VMF 113 from August 1943 when it was formed at El Toro to December 1944 when he left Engebi to return to the States.
As of 31 August 1943 VMF-113 was part of the Marine Base Defense Aircraft Group 41. MAG-41 was first organized at El Toro, California in January, 1943. The unit was redesignated to its current name in 1944. MAG-41's mission was to supervise the training of attached squadrons for combat duty in the Pacific Theater. By WWII's end, approximately 20 fighter, dive and torpedo bomber squadrons had been trained by the Group. MAG-41 was subsequently deactivated in October, 1945.
The Squaron Commander of VMF-113 at that time was Maj. Loren D. Everton a double ace (12 victories) who flew with VMF-212 at Gaudalcanal prior to becoming the CO of VMF 113. Several of the senior pilots of VMF-113 were from VMF-212, among them Frank Drury (8 victories), and Robert "Pop" Flaherty. Other names of pilots, Charles Kimak, CO after Everton, Joe Schellack, Andrew Jones (author of "The Corsair Years"), Emmitt Anglin, Lew Cunningham, Bill Degan, John Zoellner, Joe Tunno, Al Hoffman. Art Buchwald, the columnist, was an ordinance man in this squadron.
The aircraft carrier that they VMF-113 from San Diego to Ewa was the Bunker Hill.
From Ewa to the Central Pacific they took the White Plains. Once in the Central Pacific I think they were pretty much on the land though they may have flown off carriers on occasion.
Lt. Potter's flight log is, regrettably, no longer around so I can't say for sure about carrier activity once they were in the Central Pacific. Maybe you can help me with this, did land based squadrons also fly off carriers?
Lt. Potter's is believed to have had a personal aircraft, the name of the plane was the "Hot Potato".
I have a copy of his service record which shows mission flown etc. I could send you a copy if this would be at all helpful. It does show strikes at Wotje in June, 1944, Mille and Jaluit in August 1944. He also flew bombing missions to Ponope in the the Carolines.
I deeply appreciate any help you can give me,
Kind Regards,
Frederick
