SUBMITTED BY:
Name: Tom Newcomb
E-mail: Contact

COMMENTS:
Art Newcomb was my father, and was a pilot in VMB-413. He talked very little about his combat experiences, but remembered his time with the squadron fondly. He especially liked to recall one particular "Purple Alert" that ended with him losing half of his handlebar mustache to a female acrobat from a visiting USO troupe.

Sadly, Dad passed away in 2005 after a career in education.

Thanks to all those who developed and keep this site as a tribute to the dedicated Marines of VMB-413.

Added: January 15, 2012

SUBMITTED BY:
Name: Phil Douglas
From: Indian Trai, NC
E-mail: Contact

COMMENTS:
My father was Russel Douglas and was an armorer in the 413. Thanks for putting this together and would love to continue to get new info.
Thanks, Phil

Added: January 8, 2012

SUBMITTED BY:
Name: William F. Corvello
From: Williamsburg, Virginia

COMMENTS:
My Brother Roderick Corvello enlisted in USMC April, 1943. Following training, he became gunner on PBYs at Jacksonville, Fla, was then transferred to SBDs for short period. Finally shipped to South Pacific in 1944 and served with VMB-413 as radioman/armourer throughout remainder of WW 2 which ended when squadron was then based on Mindanao. Mustered out of the Marine Corps in 1945, completed college, rentered Marine Corps as pilot following completion of NavCad at Pensacola. Served in Korea 1952 flying F 9s. Left the Marine Corps following Korea service and employed as pilot with Pan Am retiring as Captain in 1975. Roderick passed away in 2009, age 85.

Added: December 18, 2011

SUBMITTED BY:
Name: John Eldridge
From: Alexandria, VA
E-mail: Contact

COMMENTS:
Dean Salmon was my dad's cousin. He was an inspiration then as he is now. He was always friendly and fun. In no small part, his service headed me towards the military where I ended up spending 30 years in the navy, served on five nuclear submarines. But, nothing like what those great Americans did when they were called. Good to see MBS 413 so well remembered. God Bless America.

Added: November 15, 2011

SUBMITTED BY:
Name: Tom Morris
From: Altamonte Springs Fl.
E-mail: Contact

COMMENTS:
I am very thankful I found your website. My father, Charles Morris,was a navigator/bombardier. While my parents were visiting us in Orlando we found out that a B-25 would be at a local air show. He had been in very poor health but he wanted to see his beloved B-25.
The transformation that came over him as we walked around the plane was unbelievable. When he described his experiences he forgot that he needed a cane to walk and the neck brace he wore just got in his way.For two hours he was back in the South Pacific with his buddies.
My father passed in 1996. I was so fortunate to tape this experience and have my mother also in it. They met when they were in the Marines. Needless to say this tape is priceless to us.
Our thanks to the men of the VMB-413 who made so many sacrifices for us.
Semper Fi,
Tom Morris
p.s. My father had enough flights to be awarded an air medal but his service record book was lost and he never recieved it. If anyone has information on how to pursue this please let me know.

Added: October 27, 2011

SUBMITTED BY:
Name: John Mahoney
From: Carver, Mass
E-mail: Contact

COMMENTS:
My father Daniel J. Mahoney Jr. was a radio-gunner in the 413. He past away in 2004 and I never really got to hear very many stories of his time in the war. He served in WWII and for a short stint in Korea. Any information anyone has would be greatly appreciated. My son and I are very interested in finding out as much information as possible. He is missed every day. Thank you all for your service to our country. God Bless.

John Mahoney
Carver, Ma.

Added: October 14, 2011

SUBMITTED BY:
Name: Clifton J. Hipsher
From: Richmond, Virginia
E-mail: Contact

COMMENTS:
I've been trying to track down information about a dear friend's father, S/Sgt John B. Mauro USMC who served as a tail-gunner on a PBJ.

The only clues I had at my disposal came from his Flight Log.

After some serious searching Google led me to your web site, and we were all over joyed to learn S/Sgt Mauro was attached to VMB-413.

We also identified one of the OPS Officers, Catp. Daniels, who had signed S/Sgt Mauro's flight log.

Thank you for keeping the memories of these brave men alive.

Bravo Zulu

Semper Fi

Clifton James Hipsher
ICC USN (Ret.)

Added: October 8, 2011

SUBMITTED BY:
Name: Abbey
From: Michigan
E-mail: Contact

COMMENTS:
My Uncle George H. Fish served with the squadron as a light truck driver. He was deployed with them in the South Pacific from May 45 to the end of the war.
Any idea where I can find more information about him or what his duties would have been?

Added: September 11, 2011

SUBMITTED BY:
Name: Luanna Wilson
From: The Woodlands, Tx
E-mail: Contact

COMMENTS:
My uncle, James Helmke, was a pilot with Squadron 413. Yesterday would have been his 90th birthday. Our family recently came across this website and found a picture of our beloved uncle. This was truly a wonderful gift to each of us and especially my dad, his brother. So heart-warming to see pictures of these young men as they served our country...true American heroes.

Added: September 2, 2011

SUBMITTED BY:
Name: Mary Anne Schoultz
From: San Diego, California
E-mail: Contact

COMMENTS:
I've been researching where my father, Robert P. Bradley,Staff Sergeant,USMC. I am thrilled to find find out he was part of the "413". I would love to learn more from any of his old mates....
He was very proud of my joining the US Navy (altho he insisted that the Navy was not as good as the Marines!). I married a Navy man (now retired after 30 years as a Seal) and we have a son who is a Navy Seal...So, the military tradition lives on with us! Wish I could come to the reunion....

Added: August 29, 2011