[Frank Olynyk]

March 10, 1942 claim for "enemy patrol plane of the four-engine, twin rudder, monoplane type". Four aircraft intercepted it. Neefus and wingman McCarthy, Somers with MarGun Dickey. "Capt Neefus made the first pass; a few seconds, black and white smoke trailed from two of the engines as she dived for the clouds below, at 3,000 ft. the remaining three planes chased and converged on the target just before it entered the cloud bank. Lt. McCarthy And Lt. Somers made modified over head passes (1 each) while Gunner Dickey made a tail chase approach and was wounded in the left arm, but returned alone to the base. (Seven bullet holes were in his plane). Capt Neefus returned to the scene of action and made a second pass; he later dropped below the broken clouds and observed a fire and scattered debris on the water--remnants of the enemy aircraft." Only Dickey's aircraft is identified, as #5.

Dickey was evacuated on March 18. On March 16 "Capt. Neefus, Lt. Somers, and Lt. McCarthy were presented with a bottle of bourbon by Lt/Col Wallace and Staff for their part in shooting down the first Jap plane in the Group." I will have to ask Barrett where he found the half credit for Dickey, since as far as I know Neefus received full credit.

Quotations from the VMF-221 War Diary for March 1942; copied at NARA II.

Enjoy!

Frank.