Bernard F. Joy - VP/VOB-23 Patrol Bombing Squadron USN Pilot - In Memoriam

Bernard F. Joy - USN Pilot:

Nasceu me 17/04/1919 em Washigton, DC.

Serviu na US Navy de setembro de 1941 a julho de 1969.

Bombing Squadron, VB-106, was commissioned on June 1, 1943 at the Naval Auxiliary Air Station, Camp Kearney, California. During June and July the squadron, named the WOLVERATORS, received fifteen (15) new PY-1 Liberator aircraft. Crews were formed and conducted intensive training for combat in the Pacific area of operations. The exact location remained a secret at this time.In accordance with Commander Fleet Air Wing Fourteen orders, on August 18, 1943 the fifteen squadron planes deployed across the Pacific Ocean to the Naval Air Station at Kaneohe Bay, Oahu, Hawaii. On September 30, 1943 six planes and nine crews departed for Midway Island for operations as Task Unit 14.8.3 in support of a Fleet Operation against WAKE Island (Commander Task Force Fourteen Operations Order 15-43). From October 7, 1943, until October 23, eleven planes and crews were on duty at Canton Island to conduct fighter escort for Photographic Squadron THREE (VD-3) Photographic PB4Y-1 aircraft. On October 12 and 13 the missions were against Japanese held Makin Island by way of Baker Island. On October 18 and 19 the group conducted fighter escort and bombing missions against Tarawa Island by way of Funafuti Island. On October 28, 1943, the squadron began the deployment from Hawaii for Carney Field, Guadalcanal with stops at Christmas Island, Tutuila in Samoa and Espiritu Santos. From February 5, 1944 until March 24, 1944, the squadron operated from Munda, New Georgia with VB-104. This new advanced base, Munda, provided greater range for the planes in their search and attack against Japanese shipping supplying Japanese bases on New Guinea, New Ireland and other strategic sites. Flight operations for VB-106 were terminated on May 27, 1944 when VB-101 relieved the squadron. During the period from May 27 to June 1 the squadron departed for Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii and further transfer to Camp Kearney, California. Thirty days leave was granted to all squadron members upon reaching the West Coast of the United States. Bombing Squadron 106, scheduled to receive the new PB4Y-2 Privateer, was redesignated Patrol Bombing Squadron 106 on October 1, 1944 at Camp Kearney, California. On November 23, 1944, part of the squadron departed by ship for Kaneohe Bay, Oahu, Hawaii. The remainder of the squadron, flying the new Privateer aircraft, departed for Kaneohe Bay on December 5, 1944. On February 13, 1945 three of the squadron officers participated as Naval Observers on a flight over Tokyo at minimum altitude in conjunction with the first flights to bomb Tokyo. On April 8, 1945, some planes of the squadron were dispatched to Central Field, Iwo Jima to conduct searches in the southern Japanese Islands and the northern Bonins. On October 5, 1946, this distinguished combat squadron was decommissioned. During the three years and four months of its life the squadron had seen two tours of combat and conducted extensive typhoon reconnaissance.

Última classificação: CDR (Commander).

Condecorações:

> DFC

> Air Medal

> PTO Medal

> Medalha da Vitória da Segunda Guerra Mundial

Ele se aposentou em 1984 como diretor de pessoal da Norfolk International Terminals.

Morreu em 24 de dezembro de 2010.

RIP!

Jamais serão esquecidos!