Content Editor posted on December 30, 2009 13:52
The following history of VC-66 Tour Two (T-2) was compiled by former VC-66 (T-2) pilot Joe A. Mussatto.
Composite Squadron VC-66 T-2 was re-formed December 5, 1944, at 1530, at the United States Naval Air Station , Alameda, California, under the command of Lieutenant Commander Charles W. Kinsella, USN.
December 29, 1944, the squadron moved to NAS Arcata, CA after three weeks of get acquainted time. Officers and men arrived there to complete the forming of the squadron.
02/19/45, Vernalis.
02/26/45, NAS North Island, CA.
03/20/45, Brown Field and Ranger Carrier Qualifications.
05/20/45, NAS Holtville, CA.
06/12/45, NAS North Island and USS Matanikau (CVE-101) qualifications.
06/26/45, We boarded USS Breton for Ford Island, Hawaii.
07/03/45, Arrived at Ford Island.
07/04/45, Arrived at NAS Hilo, Hawaii.
07/13/45, Night Carrier Qualifications, USS Tripoli (CVE-64).
08/03/45, Returned to Ford Island.
08/04/45, Boarded USS Altamaha (CVE-18).
08/06/45, B29 Enola Gay dropped atomic bomb, Hiroshima, Japan.
08/09/45, B29 Bockscar dropped atomic bomb, Nagasaki, Japan.
08/14/45, VC-66 (T-2) arrived at NAS Agana, Guam.
08/15/45, The Japanese surrendered.
08/22/45, We boarded the USS Anzio (CVE-57).
09/03/45, Dock Okinawa Port.
09/05/45, Depart Okinawa with convoy.
09/07/45, Call to Flight Quarters September 7,8, and 9, for Tactical Combat Air Patrol Flights in support of 7th Infantry Division Landing in Korea.
09/09/45, Departed coast of Korea.
09/11/45, Docked Jinsen Harbor Korea.
10/02/45, Departed Pearl Harbor (planes were secured) with 300 plus passengers.
10/08/45, Golden Gate Bridge and NAS Alameda.
10/12/45, Squadron VC-66 decommissioned.
11/11/45, Invasion of Kyushu, Japan was scheduled. USS Anzio and VC-66 (T-2) were part of the 66 Carrier Task Force assigned to participate in the invasion.
In 10 months we flew 11,958.8 hours from 5 carriers, lost 5 planes (no pilots), 8 Naval Air Stations, covering 18,000 miles.
There are so many precious memories that each man has, it is felt that in years to come some of our paths will cross again and the highlights of the cruise will be discussed time and time again.
Joe Mussatto
For Squadron VC-66 (T-2)