John E. Osguthorpe, Salt Lake City, Utah: an interview by Becky B. Lloyd, June 24, 2004: Saving the Legacy tape no. 667

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JOHN E. 0 GUTHORPE 24,2004 other crews had failed to find the problem that he asked me if I would join hi squadron. He asked the base commander if he would release me but was told 'No. He is one of ur best mechanics who can not only repair a plane but can also fly it and test it out. This is the reason we keep him here on the ground crew instead of flying the China route." I then told the squadron commander that I thought that I might be able to get a transfer. This I based on the verbal communication to me in San Diego that after I returned from twenty-two month's combat that I could have any command I desired in the Navy. Once again I tried this ploy, hoping it would still work. When I applied for transfer, I was turned down by the base commander. If I didn't agree with his decision, I could tum my request in to the Bureau of Naval Personnel, Washington, DC, for review, which I did. When the squadron commander of VB-19 left, he told me they were going to Brisbane, Australia, for six weeks of training and they'd wait for me there. I waited for over a month for an answer from Washington. I had about given up when the answer came. The base commander said, "Who in hell is your old man, some admiral? I've never had my decisions overruled before by headquarters in Washington, DC." Two weeks later, I had my orders and was on my way again. On my first stop was at Hickam Air Force Base in Honolulu where I was held up again for a week. I was told I was being detained to clarify my transfer. I never did learn why, but I believe it was because my original orders issued in San Diego, after returning from overseas, was that I was never to be returned to combat again. This was a squadron going back into combat. After a week, I was allowed to travel a circuitous route, landing at Christmas, Palmyra, Johnson and other beautiful islands, landing in Brisbane Australia on a four­engine seaplane. 47