VH-4 (Rescue Squadron)

VH-4 (Rescue Squadron 4) was one of six dedicated (VH) Rescue Squadrons of the U.S. Navy during WWII. A more comprehensive write-up on the VH squadrons can be found in the history of Rescue Squadron 3 (VH-3), which was the US Navy's most active VH squadron. VH-4 made 42 rescues of downed aviators, 9 rescues of Filipino civilians, and assisted in the rescue of another aviator. VH-4 was established on September 1944 and disestablished in November1946.^[1] The squadron employed the Martin PBM Mariner during its operations.

Operational history^[1]

• September 1944: VH-4 was established at NAS San Diego, California..
• March 1945: VH-4 commences operations in support of Invasion of Luzon in the Philippines. 7 survivors from 2 downed planes are rescued. An additional 9 Filipino women survivors from a capsized outrigger are rescued.^[2][3]
• 22 April 1945: Lt Norvell of VH-4 rescues 5 survivors from a downed B-25 off of Formosa.^[4]
• June 1945: VH-4 relocates to Okinawa to join Rescue Squadron VH-3, which has been there since April. In the last two months of the war, VH-4 makes 30 rescues of downed aviators and assists in the rescue of another.^[5]
• 4 September 1945: VH-4 moved to Tokyo Bay.
• October 1945: VH-4 moved to new seadrome at Sasebo, Nagasaki.
• 1 March 1945: VH-4 detached to task force participating in Operation Crossroads atomic tests.
• November 1946: VH-4 was disestablished.

See also

• VH-3 (Rescue squadron)
• VH-4 squadron [1]
• VH squadrons [2]
• USS Gardiners Bay (AVP-39)
• USS Suisun
• USS Pine Island (AV-12)
• USS Bering Strait (AVP-34)
• USS Orca (AVP-49)
• Dumbo (air-sea rescue)
• Seaplane tender
• Flying boat
• Air-sea rescue
• List of inactive United States Navy aircraft squadrons

References

1. 1 2 Gintner, Steve (2013). Martin PBM Mariner (Naval Fighters Number 97). Simi Valley, Ca: Steve Gintner, First Edition. p. 145. ISBN 0989258327. 
2. ↑ "Page 3 WWII War Diaries - Fold3". Fold3. Retrieved 2017-01-26. 
3. ↑ "Page 4 WWII War Diaries - Fold3". Fold3. Retrieved 2017-01-26. 
4. ↑ "Page 3 WWII War Diaries - Fold3". Fold3. Retrieved 2017-01-26. 
5. ↑ "Page 12 WWII War Diaries - Fold3". Fold3. Retrieved 2017-01-23.