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.
Best Friends I was in VR-5 attached to NAS Modffett Field.I was trnsfeerred from VP-871.We had just returned from duty on Japan and Korea.I started out in the traffic office overseeing sdeight aznd balance on outgoing flights.After xsix months myself and 2 other chiefs were zassigned to prepare a ground school to teach R6D-1 aircraft systems to overage fighter pilots in prerparation for their qualifying in gthe R6D-1 aircraft. taught.Air Conditioning,Engine Management,aznd Cruisew Control.During that time I qualified for a Commercial Flight Engineers License,qwhich included passing a ground and flight check by a CAA licensed inspector.After several mongths I was assigned as senior flight engineer and started flying routes out to the far east.I requested to start University courses in Aero Engineerin=g and was put in charge of Night Maintenance.After one semester I requested return to active reserve and was so assigned.
Best Moment Best moment was my qualifying for a Commercial Flight Engineers license.
Worst Moment A flight to NAS Atsugi,Japan.
We had a load of 65 Marines commanded by a Chief Warrant Gunner .I was flying as Flight Engineer and immediately after takeoff from NAS Barbers Point the number 1 baggage compartment fire watrning light came on and I immediately actuated the fire contfrol system and requested the Command pilot that I go aft and see if I could get access to the compartment,in the mean time the pilots had turned the airctraft around and reqested an emergency down wind full gross landing.I started back and I grabbed the Gunner and gave him a brief check on what was happening and requested that none of his people move from their seats.He gave me a quick affifrmative and drew his .45 and anounced that the first SOB that moved from his seat was going to get a bullet in the head.I was not able to get access to the compartment so I went back to the flight deck and we made a beuatiful landing,full gross.As soon as we got off the runway we were met by the fire control gang and they opened the compartment and as they started getting the baggage out one of the bags burst into flame and was immediately put out.The marines checked all their bags.It was determined that somehow a cigarette had gotten lodged in one of the bags.We trook off the next morning and had a good trip to Japan.
Other Memories It was vdery good duty we went to some interesting places.It was almost like shore duty but we got sea pay as well as flight skins.
