Corsairs over Korea
SPEARHEADING THE INCHON LANDING
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The days come and go. Day in, day out, it's
up and on your plane by 0400, work until all hours at night, sleep
where and when you can.
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15 September 1950.
The First Marine Division landed at Inchon. VMF-214
was there in support.
Tragedy on the hanger deck today. TSgt. George Underwood was killed by
a 20 mm misfire. He was sitting on the right side of the cockpit on a
plane that was parked in the forward most spot on the port side of the
hanger deck. He was there helping the plane captain, who was in the
cockpit, do a cockpit check on a discrepancy report. WE 17 was spotted
all the way aft on the port side of the hanger deck. An ordnance man was
checking the guns on WE 17, standard procedure, prior to reloading ammo.
When he started his inspection of the guns in the right wing one of them
fired. The bullet struck TSgt. Underwood in the back of his head. All
guns are cleared by an ordnance man when the plane lands. How this
terrible accident happened no one will ever know.
16 September 1950.
Lt. Andrasco returned safe. Today was a busy day for
Sicily, my plane, WE 18, flew 3 sorties. VMF-214 killed 6 NKPA tanks.
Captain Simpson was killed today (WE 23). He was making a run on an ack
ack nest. His napalm blew when he crashed.
Major General James M. Gavin, famed World War II Commanding General of
the 82nd. Airborne Division came aboard by helicopter. He has been on
the bridge most of the time. He is fascinated with flight deck
operations. That's true with most.
MajGen James M. Gavin, USA & Capt John S. Thach, USN,
aboard USS Sicily (CVE 118), Sept. 1950.
18 September 1950.
Flight quarters sounded at 0430 this morning. Another
long day. Scuttlebut says, Red Chinese Army is massing in Manchuria
across the Yala River. The question is, are they going to cross the
Yala? If they do we might as well register to vote out here because it
will be a long time before we get home, if ever. If the Chinese don't
help NK the war should be over in another month. There's a chance we
could be going home by Thanksgiving.
The Marine Division assaulted Kempo airport last night and secured it
this morning. Scuttlebutt says they are only 6 miles from Soul. VMO-6
has been operating off a stretch of road in that area. We have heard
great things about VMO-6 and their outstanding work ever since they got
to Korea. They are an important part of the winning team.
Scuttlebut says some NKPA Yak planes hit a British carrier and got a
close miss on one of our cruisers. The Yaks got away. Who's asleep?
20 September 1950.
MAG-33 arrived at Kempo with squadrons, 542, 212,
312, HQSQ and Service Squadron (SMS). More Scuttlebut. General Field
Harris said VMF-214 would go to Kempo soon as the Group gets set up
there.
24 September 1950.
This has been a long haul and it's beginning to tell
on some of the men. The day's come and go, day in day out it's up and on
your plane by 0400, work until all hours at night, sleep where and when
you can.
Another pilot went down in the rice paddies yesterday. Major Ken
Reusser, new with the squadron, in (WE 17). I don't know him, but all of
us hurt when someone goes down even when they are ok. The NK attempted
to catch the Major but he ran through the rice paddies and our Marines
got to him first. After running through the paddy he smelled really bad.
So the report says. That makes 3 WE 17's lost. 2 down with pilots lost
and one tail section collapse. Plus TSgt. George Underwood was killed by
that 20 mm. misfire from WE 17. Col. Leishide said there will be no more
WE-17. Some of us wonder about him saying that. When the CO gets
superstitious it's not good. But I don't believe he's superstitious,
he's a pretty tough Marine.
Scuttlebut says Doctor King, squadron flight surgeon, sent another
letter requesting relief for the squadron. Badoeng Strait went to Inchon
day before yesterday to take on ordnance, she refueled at sea. We are
supposed to be going in on the 26th.
We haven't had a mail call since 6 September.
25 September 1950.
Our CO, Lt Col. W. Leishide went down with his plane
this morning. He was trying to make it to Kempo airfield after being hit
when his plane exploded. Maj. Keller is now CO.
The pilots are noticeably weary. Operations continue all out. We're all
very tired. I know that for sure. We are up on the flight deck before
0400, work all day, then go until every available plane is ready for the
next day's operations.
Still no mail. First Lieutenant Joseph R. Bibby, a replacement pilot,
crashed coming aboard. He's all right, just shook up.
LtCol W.E. Lischeid.
KIA in plane crash near Kempo.
26 September: INCHON INVASION A SUCCESS.
Scuttlebutt says, everything is on hold waiting for
the UN to decide about going north of the 38th.
Sicily entered the Inchon anchorage today. Many ships
here, including the battleship Missouri. We keep busy catching up on
chores and washing aircraft. Scuttlebut says, North Korea wants a
conditional surrender. If so it indicates they are beaten. There's no
longer a "bomb line" south of the 38th. parallel.
28 September 1950.
The pilots departed Sicily for a liberty run at Kobe.
We gave them a big cheer when they left. It came none too soon in my
opinion. They are dog tired and have earned much more than just a few
days off. They should be going home. After they were gone we had a spell
of, "poor little me." Some of us feel like we have been forgotten since
Colonel Leishide is gone.
30 September 1950.
Lt. Bibby went ashore yesterday and came back today
with four sea bags full of cloths he scrounged in Inchon. We need
dungarees bad. It made us feel better to have someone do something for
us. Everybody has been too busy to think about things we need.
Scuttlebut says, everything is on hold waiting for the UN to decide
about going north of the 38th. Expecting some word around 3 October.
The pilots returned from Itami this morning. They had a good time and
looked it. They brought a lot of whiskey. One of the lieutenants gave
Fred Darby a bottle of Canadian Club. Fred now has friends he never knew
before.
2 October 1950.
Still we sit here off Inchon going nuts.
This morning the South Korean fleet paraded by on their way into Inchon.
Must have been more than a hundred of them, small high-hull wooden
ships. It was an event to us after sitting here for a week festering in
our misery.
3 October 1950: NORTH KOREAN ARMY DEFEATED IN THE SOUTH
General MacArthur issued an "end-of-war" announcement. Scuttlebut says we will be home for Christmas.
At 1100 hours Sicily hoisted anchor and sailed for
Sasebo. Dear dear Sasebo by the sea. That's where dry land and lots of
beer wait for me. We are so sick and tired of this ship it surely must
show. It's no fault of Sicily, we have simply had enough. We are tired,
homesick, disgusted with the way the war is becoming a political game,
wondering where and how it's all going to end. Hopefully we can wash
away some of these problems in Sasebo. Japanese beer is good and the
natives are friendly.
4 October 1950.
The sea has been very rough all day. I get seasick
pretty easily and was glad to get to Sasebo. Liberty call went at 2040.
By the time boats were available it was too late to go ashore, although
a few guys did. They have really put a knot in the rope of life. Liberty
by duty section. That's cruel and unusual punishment. Why don't they
schedule port and starboard, meaning two duty sections go each day. My
section is off today but it was too late for me to go ashore. My next
liberty will be on the 7th. What a kick in the bucket. Scuttlebut says,
with so many ships here the Admiral don't want too many sailors and
Marines ashore at one time.
There is a British carrier anchored near us. They have entertainment on
the fantail every night. Some of us go on the flight deck and watch. We
have ringside seats. Seems their pay don't go very far ashore so they
don't go on liberty like we do. The duty section is responsible the
entertainment on British ships.
Scuttlebut says, Badoeng Strait is going stateside soon. Rumor oh rumor,
how can it be? Please don't do this to me! All we have done in Sasebo is
sit and process rumors. Must admit, I started a few good ones myself. A
big rumor that seems to grow is, "THE CHINESE ARE A COMING!"
13 October 1950.
News today says ROK soldiers have secured Hamhung.
16 October 1950.
Sicily, Badoeng Strait, and escort, departed Sasebo
this morning. The announced mission was a couple of days gunnery run.
Since when do the carriers do gunnery drill?
Once we were in deep water Sicily's executive officer announced we are
on our way to cover an invasion by the 1st.MarDiv.
20 October 1950.
General Mac Arthur issued a "end-of-war" announcement.
Scuttlebut says we will be home for Christmas.
25 October 1950.
The 1stMarDiv. landed at Wonsan after sitting aboard
ship for days waiting for the Navy to clear the harbor of mines. They
didn't need our help this time. South Koreans have been there and gone
on north. Scuttlebut says, Bob Hope was entertaining at the Wonsan
airfield when the Marines showed up.
First Marine Division has been ordered north from Wonsan.
26 October 1950.
News reports say US and ROC forces have been attacked
and suffered heavy losses. The US 8th. Army has been stopped cold. We
wonder what's going on.
Sicily's Corsairs are flying daily, going from target to target
providing close air support. We work our routine as always, up early,
work late. We don't know how the pilots can keep going.
WE18 didn't return from a mission. I took care of that beautiful Corsair
for two years. Now she is gone. I'll never forget WE18. Lt. Joe Bibby
was the pilot. He made a wheels-up landing near our Marines. He is ok.
They threw a few hand grenades inside the fuselage and cockpit to
complete the destruction.
The Wing HQ and MAG-12 are now at Wonsan. MAG-33 at Itami.
WE18 was forced down by enemy ground fire in the Chosin Reservoir area.
29 October 1950: WINTER ARRIVES IN NORTH KOREA
Not only does the extreme cold hamper people,
it makes aircraft maintenance more difficult.
Summer has turned to fall quickly followed by winter.
The most severe winter in many years they say. Frigid winds come roaring
out of Siberia, blowing unmercifully across the flight deck. Flight deck
operations are severely hampered by the increased hazards of snow, ice,
rough seas and fog. On the flight deck whirling propellers are deadly
and unforgiving. "Take care," is the watch word
It's impossible to keep your face and hands dry. Spray comes over the
flight deck when the ship is heading into the wind, which is necessary
for flight operations. Your goggles get covered with ice. It's much
harder to move around the deck when it's so cold. Bulky clothing further
hampers movement. It's a real trick to climb up a sloping Corsair wing
to get to the cockpit. Without flight deck shoes (Shoes with soles
designed to squeegee water and hold onto a slick surface. Something like
suction cups.) it would be impossible. We wipe the wing as dry as we can
while the pilot is making his "once around check" so he don't slip and
fall.
Not only does the extreme cold hamper people it makes aircraft
maintenance more difficult. Soon after the weather became very cold
engines began pumping oil out the exhaust stacks and oil leaks were in
abundance. Pilots have started reporting engine power loss. What is
happening?
The Pratt &Whitney R 2800 reciprocating aircraft engine used on the F4U
Corsair has a vented crankcase. It vents overboard to the atmosphere
through a quarter inch aluminum tube. Vapors from inside the hot engine
escape through that tube. When vapors reach cool air they condense and
become moisture. At altitudes where it's much colder the moisture
freezes at the end of the tube, soon plugging it, disallowing the
crankcase to vent. That causes pressure to build inside the engine and
oil leaks occur where they normally wouldn't. It was a puzzling problem
until someone noticed ice on a couple of vent tubes. My buddy John
Scanlan came up with a fix. He cut off the breather tube up inside the
engine cowling where it's normally hot during flight and attached a
length of rubber tubing long enough to hang out in the air stream a few
inches. In flight the flexible tubing whips around shaking off the
droplets. They aren't there long enough to freeze. A simple solution to
a serious problem. That's what Marines are good at, improvising.
We have been sailing around out here along the 40th parallel since 16
October. Some food items are expended so it's beans, rice, and spam for
the past few days.
The pilots continue flying missions, responding to requests for close
air support from all units. Our pilots tell us the Marines are a long
way up north in the hills finding little or no resistance from the
enemy. Scuttlebut says, over and over, the Chinese are crossing the Yala
by the thousands.
1 November 1950.
Scuttlebut says, more UN ( ROK and US) losses up
north.. No one seems to know where the enemy comes from.
Corsairs en route to targets in Korea.
2 November 1950.
Radio Peking announced Chinese volunteers are in Korea
fighting for NK. General Mac Arthur says it's too little too late, the
communist in Korea are whipped.
Our pilots tell us the 7th Marine Regiment, some distance ahead of the
rest of the Division, was attacked by Chinese forces. The Chinese hit
and ran and the 7th continued its march.
7 November 1950.
The 7th Marines arrived at Koto-ri.
DD 746 Escort delivering mail.
10 November.
We celebrated the Marine Corps Birthday. Major Keller held
a squadron formation on the hanger deck after the last flight returned.
He spoke about what our Corps means, reminding us that the birthday
ceremony brings all Marines together on our birthday because, around the
world, no matter where they are, Marines observe the Corps' Birthday. He
spoke about what we are doing out here and thanked all hands for our
loyalty and dedication to the mission at hand and wished us a happy
birthday. We paid special tribute to our Marines who are no longer with
us. Captain Thach and a lot of the ships crew attended our ceremony.
Major Keller invited the Captain to say a few words and he did. His
words were inspirational and flattering. He said some mighty good things
about us, and about the whole Marine Corps. He told us it has been his
privilege to serve with us and we will always have a home aboard Sicily.
He said he and ships company will never forget "Sicily's Marines." After
the ceremony was over I asked my buddy John Scanlan what he thought.
"Best Marine Corps Birthday I ever stood," was his answer. I had to
agree. I went back to work feeling pretty good.
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