VC-85 aerial victories

[keith A]

I am looking for details of this squadrons 11 aerial claims.

I know that one victory was credited to TBF pilot Ltjg Robert C Reilly. He claimed a Val dive bomber on 12 April 1945.

On 5 January 1945 Ltjg Robert W Ramey claimed the squadron's first kill, a Zeke.

Two pilots claimed a Tony on 1 April 1945.

On 6 April 1945 kills were credited to Ltjg James D Ingram (2), Ens George M Turner and Ltjg James Alex Homyak.

I have no other details as to type of e/a claimed (the war diary is very brief).

Apparently only nine are credited in some sources but this may mean that nine were given to Wildcat pilots and therefore the TBF/M crews added two more?


Best regards

Keith

[R Leonard]

I've got these

1/5/1945 - LTJG Robert Winford Ramey, FM-2, 1 A6M, 13-30N,119-57E
4/1/1945 - LTJG William Garrant Couch, FM-2, 0.5 Ki-61, 18 mi west of Kerama Retto
4/1/1945 - ENS John Carlton Houk, FM-2, 0.5 Ki-61, 18 mi west of Kerama Retto
4/6/1945 - LTJG Adrian Stanley Bazzell, FM-2, 1 A6M, over le Shima
4/6/1945 - LTJG James Alex Homyak, FM-2, 1 A6M, over le Shima
4/6/1945 - LTJG James Dugger Ingram, FM-2, 1 D3A, over le Shima
4/6/1945 - LTJG James Dugger Ingram, FM-2, 1 A6M, over le Shima
4/6/1945 - ENS George Montgomery Turner, FM-2, 1 D3A, over le Shima
4/6/1945 - LT Robert Forrest Pettitt, FM-2, 0.5 D3A, 10 mi northwest of Kerama Retto
4/6/1945 - LTJG George Brand Pleat, FM-2, 0.5 D3A, 10 mi northwest of Kerama Retto
4/6/1945 - LT Robert Forrest Pettitt, FM-2, 0.25 D3A, 10 mi northwest of Kerama Retto
4/6/1945 - LTJG George Brand Pleat, FM-2, 0.25 D3A, 10 mi northwest of Kerama Retto
4/6/1945 - ENS Dayo Dean Prindle, FM-2, 0.25 D3A, 10 mi northwest of Kerama Retto
4/6/1945 - ENS Albert Randall Swanson, FM-2, 0.25 D3A, 10 mi northwest of Kerama Retto
4/6/1945 - ENS Albert Randall Swanson, FM-2, 1 Ki-43 probable, 10 mi northwest of Kerama Retto
4/12/1945 - LTJG Robert Charles Reilly (pilot w McGraw), TBM, 0.5 D3A, 5 to 10 mi south of Okinawa
4/12/1945 - AMM2c Eldred William McGraw (gunner w Reilly) , TBM, 0.5 D3A, 5 to 10 mi south of Okinawa

[keith A]

Many thanks chum. I am working my way through the aerial victories of FM2 squadrons using Fold3, and the Tillman books. It's a long project but nowhere near as long as people like the late Frank Olynyk spent on it. The War Diaries vary in detail. Once I get through the American claims I am going to look at possible Japanese units and losses. Perhaps futile but a fun way to spend a few afternoons - and avoid more bloody gardening!

best regards

Keith

[R Leonard]

Understand completely. Just went through all the Fold3 ZP (blimp) squadrons to get names of folks involved . . . 99% of the reports only give command pilots and then just last names so I have to use my master rosters to see who is who, where, and when on a list of some 2500 entries . . . not 2500 pilots, but 2500 mentions of some 665 individuals.

Gaaaaa. And this a break from cataloging USMC pilots.

[keith A]