William R. (Bill) Love,Jr. Prior rate: AXC Final rate/grade: AWC E-mail: bilbiker@blazenetme.net

I joined VP-34 in July 1949 as an AOAN straight out of AO(A) school in Memphis, Tn.. We were in Norfolk at Breezy Point. In hangar SP-31. We had 9 PBM-5E aircraft.. The squadron had just finished transitioning from the PBY-6A and had changed designations from VP AM 4 to VP-34. I went to NAS Trinidad, British West Indies with them and stayed in the squadron until 1953. Going from AOAN when I joined them to AO1 by the time that I transfered. I still remember a lot of good things about that outfit and recently received a picture from Norm Roinstad that was taken in NAS Trinidad, British West Indies of the "White Hats" in the Aviation Ordnance Division...After VP-34 I went to FAWTULANT, now VF-101 in Key West Fl. Then to VP-8 at Quonset Point, R.I., Chincoteague Va, and Norfolk, Va. Task Group Alfa, and Project Little Joe. Flew recovery missions for the "monkey in space" low orbit rides. Left there in Feb 1960 and went to VA-125 at Moffett Field, Ca. made AOC in Sep 60 and moved to NAS Lemoore, California, when that base opened. Instructed "Light Jet Attack" A4 aircraft. Conventional Weapons loading and delivery. Changed my rate to AX on the first AX list and in 1963 went to VP-24 at Norfolk, Va., as and AXC. Went through Task Group Delta (the best deal a sailor ever had) and left there in 1967 for VP-23 at Brunswick Me. 1967 to 1970 VP-23. Changed rate to AWC on the first AW list, took over as the first AW division Chief. Transitioned VP-23 from P-2 to P-3 A/C I flew Radio and we borrowed an F/E from Lovin' 11 until we got some qualified people. 1970 to 71 Fleet Airborne Electronics Training Unit Atlantic, (FAETULANT) Det Brunswick, taught MAD, Radar and worked at Survival Evasion Resistance and Escape School (SERE). 1971 to 1974 Transferred to Patrol Squadron Eight (VP-8) when they moved up from Patuxent River. I was their second AW division CPO. Quit flying in 1973 after 10,500 hours and 20 years in 8 different aircraft types and returned to AXC. I went to VP-26 as Night Maintenance CPO, then to First Lt. and left there in 1976 for "Shore Duty" Twilight Cruise. Assigned to the Counselling and Assistance Center at NAS Brunswick, Maine, as Leading Chief until I retired in July 1977..."