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USN SOC-3 and FM-2 collision - Okinawa - 9 April 1945
On 9 april 1945 a SOC-3 Seagull (BuNo 1125, attached to USS Tuscaloosa, CA-37) reportedly collided with a FM-2 Wildcat of VC-94 (BuNo 73849) operating from the USS Shamrock Bay (CVE-84) over Okinawa.
Seagull was flown by Lt. Walter P. Lathrop. War Diary of the USS Tuscaloosa says on 9 April 1945 she lost contact with her SOC but another spotter plane had seen two parachutes "behind enemy lines". On 10 April 1945 however a message was received from shore that pilot and radioman were within American lines. Lathrop apparently DOW on 20 May 1945 after all (according naval-history.net), but findagrave retains 9 April 1945.
Wildcat pilot was LCDR James Franklin Patterson who (also) got killed in the collision.
Looking for name (and fate?) of the Radioman and burial place of LCDR Patterson.
Thanks for info.
Leendert
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