Odd Logbook entry - one for the Corsair guys

Cherrybomber13 · **Posted:** Mon Mar 24, 2014 9:59 pm

Anyone cane to take a guess at what was happening on May 25th, 1945 in Stratford, Connecticut...

Log Book of Matt S 1945 by Cherry Bomb Photography, on Flickr

Dudley Henriques · **Posted:** Mon Mar 24, 2014 10:32 pm

Cherrybomber13 wrote:

Anyone cane to take a guess at what was happening on May 25th, 1945 in Stratford, Connecticut...

Log Book of Matt S 1945 by Cherry Bomb Photography, on Flickr

Knowing how fighter pilots write in their log books as I do, my best guess would be a training flight using the factory as a "target". Most likely some research into the squadron's routine for the period might reveal some useful information.
Dudley Henriques

Jim MacDonald · **Posted:** Tue Mar 25, 2014 3:06 am

Here's some info from VF-74's Squadron History.

On 23 May 1945, eight planes of this squadron joined with twenty four planes from the group in a simulated bombing and strafing attack on Bridgeport (Conn.) airport to promote the sale of war bonds at the Chance Vought factory, The flight was completed without incident and the demonstration was enthusiastically received by those who gathered to witness it. Lt. C.A. Huff led the flight and Lt. T. Killefer headed the second division. Others who participated were Lt(jg) P.L. Daly, Lt(jg) J.R. Montapert, Lt(jg) R.J. Morris, Lt(jg) J.J. Shaffer, Ens. W.M. McCall and Ens. J.P. Arrigoni. Take off was made at 1400 and they were over the target at 1500.

VF-74 at the time was based NAAF Otis Field, Camp Edwards MA.

Mac

Jerry O'Neill · **Posted:** Tue Mar 25, 2014 8:48 am

Some young guy named Matt, flew a Corsair over CT?

Cherrybomber13 · **Posted:** Tue Mar 25, 2014 9:36 am

Jim, Thank you for the history there. Don't recalls anything in the papers about this, that is from what I have seen from Stratford in the library archives from that time period.

Drew

Jim MacDonald wrote:

Here's some info from VF-74's Squadron History.

On 23 May 1945, eight planes of this squadron joined with twenty four planes from the group in a simulated bombing and strafing attack on Bridgeport (Conn.) airport to promote the sale of war bonds at the Chance Vought factory, The flight was completed without incident and the demonstration was enthusiastically received by those who gathered to witness it. Lt. C.A. Huff led the flight and Lt. T. Killefer headed the second division. Others who participated were Lt(jg) P.L. Daly, Lt(jg) J.R. Montapert, Lt(jg) R.J. Morris, Lt(jg) J.J. Shaffer, Ens. W.M. McCall and Ens. J.P. Arrigoni. Take off was made at 1400 and they were over the target at 1500.

VF-74 at the time was based NAAF Otis Field, Camp Edwards MA.

Mac

Mark Allen M · **Joined:** Fri Feb 03, 2012 1:48 pm **Posts:** 7879

Drew, dad's logbook shows a few "stateside strikes" as well, notably on NAS Oceana and Atlantic City. Apparently those wacky Navy pilots would strike anything, anywhere at any time. :wink:

M

Cherrybomber13 · **Posted:** Tue Mar 25, 2014 10:48 am

I was hoping that it wouldn't be a strike against Striking workers

whistlingdeath77 · **Posted:** Tue Mar 25, 2014 9:01 pm

I do remember hearing that during world war 2 practice runs and dummy bombs were dropped in the conn. river. Far as I know there still at the bottom probably buried in mud by now

Airlift48 · **Joined:** Sat Oct 29, 2005 7:01 pm **Posts:** 745

Matthew Stankiewicz Anyone have any info on him?

My Grandfather's family is Stankiewicz.

Cherrybomber13 · **Posted:** Wed Mar 26, 2014 9:02 am

Kevin,
He was Matthew C. from Plantsville Ct. Naval Aviator, FBI Agent. If that rings a bell, reach out to me on facebook and we can chat.

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Odd Logbook entry - one for the Corsair guys

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