31 JAN 44
For the crew of Princeton Operation FLINTLOCK began at 0719 with the launch of the first strike of the day, 8 Hellcats and 5 Avengers to bomb and strafe, and 4 Hellcats for Combat Air Patrol (CAP). O.T.C. directed the strike group to report back on the general conditions on Wotje, with specific attention paid to the status of the runways. After recovering at 0937, pilots from the initial strike reported the runway "well pitted, the ammunition dump [struck by U.S.S. PENSACOLA the day prior] fire was still burning, and many barracks were burned out." Air Group pilots also noted that "the radio building was concrete and strafing was ineffective; three radio towers still standing" and that "moderate light anti-aircraft fire was observed from the southeast shore."
Having visited several Pacific battlefields and read many histories of same, I have always been confounded at the ability of the Japanese to continue fighting when they had been subjected to continuous and seemingly overwhelming onslaughts.
How could there still be resistance after experiencing this level of devastation?:
Blockhouses on Wotje: Jap-held atoll in the Marshalls group. Still standing after countless dive bombing attacks.
While many of the Air Group's pilots were experiencing their first combat, several were veterans who had been with CVLG-23 since it's commissioning in January 1943 at NAS Willow Grove, a few miles north of Philadelphia. One of these veterans was William Buckelew. In preparation for Princeton's launch in late February, the Air Group and Ensign Buckelew relocated to Marine Base Parris Island, South Carolina for an ambitious workup cycle of academics, tactical flying and carrier procedures and qualification training. During the course of instruction, various accidents had taken place, thankfully none involving injury or death. Ensign Buckelew was one of four VF-23 pilots who had made forced landings in swamps surrounding the base. Eventually, shore-based training transitioned to afloat, as Princeton had made her way south from the Philadelphia Naval Yard to the Gulf of Paria, in the Caribbean Sea east of Trinidad and Tobago.
The book Carrier Down, includes the following brief passage:
"On the second day in the gulf, three of the fighter pilots lost their way, but managed to land at Carupano, Venezuela, the nearest point on the mainland. None of the trio, Ensigns Abell, Tyler, or William Buckelew, could speak Spanish. But they were able to communicate with those in charge of the Venezuelan airfield, and got word back to Princeton that they were safe."
Join the Navy and see the world.
Having experienced it first hand (and boy did I!), I still marvel* at Naval Aviation's culture of providing a base level of training, followed by the willingness to give wide-eyed recruits the keys to a flying machine and send them off to break the surly bonds, knowing full well that mistakes would be made, but confident that those errors would not be fatal. Screwing up, but surviving, breeds a confidence that no amount of perfectly executed flights can duplicate. And that confidence is critical to living up to the Navy Flyer's Creed:
I am a United States Navy flyer. My countrymen built the best airplane in the world and entrusted it to me. They trained me to fly it. I will use it to the absolute limit of my power. With my fellow pilots, air crews, and deck crews, my plane and I will do anything necessary to carry out our tremendous responsibilities. I will always remember we are part of an unbeatable combat team — the United States Navy. When the going is fast and rough, I will not falter. I will be uncompromising in every blow I strike. I will be humble in victory. I am a United States Navy flyer. I have dedicated myself to my country, with its many millions of all races, colors, and creeds. They and their way of life are worthy of my greatest protective effort. I ask the help of God in making that effort great enough.
Within 7 short months, the 5th of November to be exact, then Lieutenant (Junior Grade) William G. Buckelew would earn the Distinguished Flying Cross in the skies above Rabaul:
Task Group 58.4, and other Task Groups in the vicinity, continued to fly strikes in support of Army and Marine infantry making landings on Kwajalein and Majuro...
"At 1308 observed plane crash in walkway aboard U.S.S. LANGLEY."
"At 1324 VF-4, in landing, accidentally discharged 300 rounds of .50 caliber into flight the flight deck; no casualties resulted from gun fire, but three men were injured seeking cover."
"At 1327 received order from O.T.C. to direct Combat Air Patrol No. 5C to cover the U.S.S. PREBLE searching the westward of Maloelap Atoll for a lost pilot from the U.S.S. ENTERPRISE."
Throughout the day, three Air Group 23 Avengers and six Hellcats returned with damage from small arms fire and anti-aircraft artillery. None of which seemed to matter in light of the news that...
"...At 1305 Lieutenant (jg) W.G. Buckelew, A-V(N), USNR, in F6F No. 15 was hit over the target and injured. His plane headed toward the ship and was seen to make a hard forced landing 15 miles, bearing 095˚ from Wotje Island. Several VT from this vessel circled an oil slick after seeing the crash, but found no trace of pilot after 20 minute search."
William George Buckelew, 23, Navy fighter pilot, son of Mrs. Mable Buckelew, RIP.
As with LT(jg) EUBANK, LT(jg) BUCKELEW is also remembered at The Punchbowl.
Inexplicably, this obituary mistakenly lists Buckelew's date of death as March 7th instead of January 31st and his DFC as awarded posthumously instead of for his previous bravery over Rabaul.
At 1758, Princeton's War Diary noted the last communication of the day from Read Admiral Ginder and which was published to the ship's company by order of the Commanding Officer: "Well done. I have the best carrier pilots in the entire Navy."
NNNN
* People are always astounded, as I am still, that the first time a Naval Aviator lands on the boat, it is done solo. No instructor, no backup, just the pilot versus the boat.
Comments