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| Click On Image For Full Size Image |
Size | Image Description | Contributed By And/Or Copyright |
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|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bangust 0673901 Bangust Bangust |
7k | Joseph Bangust was born on 30 May 1915 in Niles, Ohio and enlisted in the Navy on 16 November 1938. Promoted to seaman 2d class, he was transferred to Patrol Wing 2 in June 1939,
and, within the wing, to Patrol Squadron 21 the following July. He accompanied the squadron as it deployed to the Philippine Islands with its Consolidated PBY Catalina flying boats, and in December
1939 received promotion to seaman 1st class. Within the next year, he was promoted twice: to aviation machinist痴 mate 3d class (May 1940) and aviation machinist's mate 2d class (February 1941).
When the war began in December 1941, Bangust was assigned to VP-101. Six PBYs departed their base at Ambon, Netherlands East Indies on 26 December 1941 to attack Jolo harbor. Bangust flew as gunner
with Ens. Elwyn L. Christman. Antiaircraft fire from shore emplacements greeted the PBYs over the harbor, ceasing when a group of Mitsubishi A6M2 fighters appeared to intercept the attackers.
Bangust teamed up with AMMl Andrew K. Waterman in downing the first Zero. The attacker having been dealt with, Christman released his bombs and headed west along the Sulu Archipelago. One fighter
followed, attacking the plane痴 port side persistently, but Christman sought to foil the attacker by turning into him, forcing him to break off his runs. Unfortunately, a projectile from one of the
Zero痴 cannon holed the fuel tank, sending gasoline into the mechanic痴 compartment. On his next run, the Zero ignited the volatile fuel. Blinded, with third-degree burns on his face, hands and neck,
Bangust and RM2 P. H. Landers bailed out of the burning plane. Ens. Christman rode the plane in and landed on the water. Landers, less injured than Bangust, guided him as they struck out for the island
of Lugos. At about noon on 27 December, Landers glanced behind to see only an empty life jacket, Bangust had apparently slipped from it and drowned. For his extraordinary heroism during the action,
Bangust was awarded the Navy Cross posthumously. USS Bangust (DE 739) (1943-1946) was the first ship named in his honor. (Photo from USS Bangust website) |
Mike Smolinski Clifton, N.J. Archive Manager DE / FF / LCS Archive Navsource | |
| Bangust 0673902 |
20k | undated wartime image | Donald R. Pond QM2 USNR | |
| Bangust 0673903 |
17k | The U.S. Navy destroyer escort USS Hilbert (DE-742) possibly at the Hunters Point Naval Shipyard, San Francisco, California, sometime between February and May 1944. She is painted in Camouflage Measure 31, Design 10D. U.S. Navy photo 19-LCM-DE742-1 | ||
| Bangust 0673907 |
297k | USS Bangust (DE 739) At anchor, circa 1943. | (U.S. Naval Historical Center photo #NH 79818 Courtesy of Donald M. McPherson, 1974, from the Naval History and Heritage Command)Bob Hurst Worksop, Nottinghamshire, England, United Kingdom | |
| Bangust 0673904 |
82k | circa 1953: as BAP Castilla (F-61) | ||
| Bangust 0673906 |
233k | circa 1954: Overhead view of Peruvian destroyer escort BAP Castilla (F-61) in 1954. The ship, the ex-USS Bangust (DE-739) was acquired by
Peru in February, 1952 as part of the Mutual Defense Assistance Program. (U.S. Naval Historical Center photo #NH 87846, Courtesy of Dr. R.L. Scheina, from the Naval History and Heritage Command) |
Mike Green Port Angeles, Wash. | |
| Bangust 0673905 |
41k | circa 1964: as BAP Castilla (F-61) | Bob Hurst Worksop, Nottinghamshire, England, United Kingdom | |
| Bangust's Commanding Officers Thanks to Wolfgang Hechler |
| Dates of Command | Commanding Officers |
|---|---|
| 1.) 30 Oct. 1943 ? 16 Mar. 1945 | Lcdr. Charles Fraser (Fox) MacNish, USNR (Comm. CO) |
| 2.) 16 Mar. 1945 ? .. Jan. 1946 | Lt. / Lcdr. Edward B. Walker Jr., USNR |
| 3.) .. Jan. 1946 ? .. Jun. 1946 | Lcdr. Frederick Augustus Lind Jr., USNR |
| 4.) .. Jun. 1946 ? 11 Nov. 1946 | Lt.(jg) Richard R. Maze, USNR (Decomm. CO) (Bartlesville, Okla.) |
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This Page Created And Maintained By Mike Smolinski All pages copyright Navsource Naval History by Paul R. Yarnall, All Rights Reserved. Page Last Updated: 04 April 2023 |
