This Military Service Page was created/owned by
Cory Butterfield, AO1
to remember
Watson, Richard G., Jr. (Dick), LTJG.
If you knew or served with this Sailor and have additional information or photos to support this Page, please leave a message for the Page Administrator(s) HERE.
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.
Best Friends Herb Behner SR,Fred Dickey SR,LaVerne Jones SR,Russ Wakefield SR,Bill Gaughan SR
Best Moment The ship went in to San Francisco and we all got liberty to visit the 1939 worlds Fair at Treasure Island.
Worst Moment My first time on crows nest watch.I had trouble getting a hold of the bridge with the phone and we were sailing in a column with several other ships and the OOD got quite upset with me.
Chain of Command I was a torpedomen striker and I reported to a Torpedoman 1stClass.
Other Memories This was my first active duty in the Navy and it was for a two week cruise.We had maneuvers with several destroyers,our sister ship the USS Patterson,the cruisers:USS Astoria,USS Vincennes and several other along with the USS Oklahoma,we made a smoke screen fro her and she let out a magnificent broadside.
