User:SeahorseBlue

/Sandbox

About Me and My Father
My name is Dave Fish. I am the only son of Captain Doit L. Fish, USMCR. My father served in World War II as a PBJ-1 (B-25 Mitchell) pilot, assigned to Marine Bomber Squadron VMB-611, MAG-32, MAGSZAM, Zamboanga, Mindanao, Philippine Islands. He saw state-side service at MCAS Cherry Point, NC and MCAS Parris Island, SC. He participated in Pacific Theater combat missions at Emirau Island and Moret Field, Zamboanga.

On May 30, 1945, my father (and crew) was declared Missing In Action during a strike at Kibawe Trail near Davao, Mindanao while on his 25th mission. The wreckage of his aircraft and the crew's skeletal remains were discovered on November 16, 1956 near Carmen, Davao del Norte, the area he was reported missing. A common grave group burial service, with full military honors, was held at Fort Logan National Cemetery, Denver, CO on July 15, 1957.

Why am I here at Wikipedia?
Many know of the Marine Corps WWII history in their Pacific island-hopping campaigns. Some know of the Marine Fighter Squadrons and their contributions. Very few know about the Marine Bomber Squadrons and their role in WWII.

While history of the Southern Philippine Islands campaign can be found on the Internet, as well as facts on the B-25 and its Navy PBJ-1 version, there is no specific written history on the Internet about Marine Bomber Squadron VMB-611.

It is my goal, in memory and honor to my father and his fellow VMB-611 squadron members, to write that history and share their contributions during World War II on Wikipedia.