This Military Service Page was created/owned by
Cory Butterfield, AO1
to remember
Watson, Richard G., Jr. (Dick), LTJG.
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Contact Info
Home Town Wenham
Last Address Lakeside Manor,Apt.323 Reno,NV
Date of Passing Jan 17, 2022
Location of Interment Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery (VA) - San Diego, California
I am enjolying retirement with family and friends.
Other Comments:
My Naval Assignments have included many reserve squadrons that are not listed in the matrix. They are as follows:
VP-907, Plankowner, commissioned July 4, 1946 and redesignated VP-ML-57 on November 15, 1946. In February 1950, the unit was redesignated to VP-871 at which time I transferred back to active duty in February 1951. The unit was redesignated VP-19 in February 1953.
I was subsequently transferred from VP-871 to VR-5, Moffet Field, CA in September 1952 and remained there until December 1954, upon going to the active reserve with VP-871 until 1957. I was then transferred to ZP-871 (Blimp Squadron) as A/C Maintenence Officer from 1958-1960 and went inactive in 1960.
I am a qualified Flight Engineer in the following aircraft:PBY-5& 5A,PB2Y-3,PB4Y-2,R6D-1,PV-2,and the R6V.While in VR-5 I recieved a FAA Flight Engineers License and a FAA A&E license.I had already gotten my pilots license in 1949.
On November 7 2007 I was honored to be inducted into the Combat Aircrew Roll of honor on the USS Yorktown
CV 10.
VP-19
NAME: Big Red
TAIL CODES: CH ('53 to mid '57) /PE (from mid '57)
Established: 4. February 1953
Disestablished: Active
Latest update: April 19, 2008
Changed format February 17, 2002.
Photo of CH-1 added 30. January 2000.
All 135xx series histories updated 19. April 2000.
Photo of 143172 and patch added 27. June 2000.
Three new photos of 135584 added 4. August 2000.
Photos of 142545, 145902, 145923 and 147948 added 26. March 2001.
Photo of 145903 added Sept. 18, 2001.
Photos of 135590 and CH-12 added 17. February 2002.
Photo of 145901 added October 19, 2002.
Photo of CH-5 added February 11, 2003.
Photos of CH-2, CH-3, CH-5, and CH-7 added October 13, 2003.
Additional photos from Tom Bryant added October 17, 2003.
1000 pixel photos of 135590 formation with CH12 and 145923 added January 28, 2004.
Photo of 147948 added November 01, 2004.
Photo of 145923 added January 30, 2008.
1000 pixel photos of 135584 added April 19, 2008.
Best Friends Bill Keller AMSC,Jim Gosnell ADEC,T.P."Stretch" Pillips AD3,Tom Degnan ARM1
Best Moment Return home from Korea
Worst Moment Night raid in which we were almost attacked by an enemy nightfighter.He was shot down by our companion aircraft a F7F equipped with night fighter gear.
Other Memories VP-19 was originally VP-907 in 1946, then redsignated VP-ML57 from 46-50. From 1950-53 it was VP-871. Then in 1953 it was again changed to VP-19.
