07 Apr 2006 We Will Remember. j_scotland40@msn.com

 

A Note from The Virtual Wall Fleet Support Squadron 50 (VRC-50), based at Naval Air Station Atsugi in Japan provided "air taxi" service between shore bases and carriers at sea. VRC-50 maintained a detachment at Naval Air Station Cubi Point, part of the Navy complex at Subic Bay in the Philippines. The Cubi Point det was dedicated to supporting the carrier task forces operating in the Gulf of Tonkin. In the early morning hours of 02 Oct 1969 a VRC-50 C-2A departed Cubi Point on a logistics flight to the carrier USS CONSTELLATION. Twentysix men were aboard - five aircrew, 20 sailors from Task Force 77 ships and squadrons, and a civilian technical representative, Mr. Frank Bytheway. Shortly before 6 AM, as the aircraft approached CONSTELLATION for landing, the C-2 disappeared from the approach controller's radar scope. Search and rescue efforts began at once, with helicopters overhead the C-2's last known position within minutes of its disappearance. SAR efforts continued through the day but failed to locate anything except an oil slick and aircraft fragments. No human remains were recovered. Since there was no doubt the 26 men aboard had died in the incident they were classed as Died/Body not Recovered. As it happens, one of The Virtual Wall staff was embarked in CONSTELLATION at the time of this incident and vividly recalls the Task Group's efforts to recover survivors. CONSTELLATION detached three destroyers for surface search and of course provided helicopters for air search. The SAR effort reluctantly was terminated at sundown on 02 October. A memorial service was held aboard CONSTELLATION in remembrance of our shipmates lost at sea: USS CONSTELLATION (CVA-64) MM1 Paul E Gore FTM2 Robert B Leonard HM3 Roy G Fowler ABH3 William D Gorsuch DS3 Keavin L Terrell Carrier Air Wing 14, embarked in USS CONSTELLATION ASE3 Michael L Bowman, Attack Squadron 27 (VA-27) AMH2 Carl J Ellerd, Attack Squadron 97 (VA-97) SD2 Fidel G Salazar, EW Warfare Squadron 133 (VAQ-133) HM2 Donald C Dean, Early Warning Squadron (VAW-113) ADJ2 Kenneth M Prentice, Fighter Squadron 142 (VF-142) ATR3 Richard W Bell, Fighter Squadron 142 (VF-142) AMS3 Delvin L Kohler, Fighter Squadron 142 (VF-142) AN Howard M Koslosky, Fighter Squadron 142 (VF-142) AQB2 Ronald W Montgomery, Fighter Squadron 143 (VF-143) AE2 James J Fowler, Fighter Squadron 143 (VF-143) AME3 Terry L Beck, Fighter Squadron 143 (VF-143) USS WALKE (DD-723) YNC Leonardo M Gan PN1 Rolando C Dayao USS LONG BEACH (CGN-9) MM2 William R Moore USS HAMNER (DD-718) TN Reynaldo R Viado VRC-50 LT Herbert H Dilger LT Richard A Livingston AMS3 Rayford J Hill ADJ3 Paul K Moser ADJ3 Michael J Tye Mr. Frank L. Bytheway, civilian

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