4 March 1946
TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN:
On 4 April, 1944 at Green Island, B.S.I., I saw a TBF crash into a F6F during a landing on the bomber strip situated on the above island. The turret gunner, James MURPHY, Corporal, USMC, (453159) (proven by entry in flight log) escaped through the turret hatch and helped the bomb bay gunner escape. Both were injured sufficiently to require hospitalization from burns and concussions.
JOHN A. BUZZARD
Captain, USMCR
*****
March 6, 1946
TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN:
On April 6, 1944, at Green Island, while attached to 33rd Naval Construction Battalion, I visited James Murphy at the Acorn No. 10 Base Hospital, where he was recovering from shock and burns and I saw both burns and bandages on his legs and arms.
He received the burns from a Plane Crash of TBF during a landing on April 4, 1944.
Paul Egan
*****
March 14, 1946
To Whom It May Concern:
On April 4, 1944 I saw the TBF in which James Murphy was flying in Green Island crash into two F6Fs. I also saw him get out of the plane which was on fire at the time and escape through the turret hatch. He went around air craft and gained entrance to the plane through the radio compartment and pulled the radio gunner out. James Murphy and the radio gunner were taken to the hospital. (The pilot of the TBF and one of the F6F pilots were burned to death in the crash.)
I visited James Murphy on the following days: April 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 1944. The first day I visited him he didn't know any of his friends because of the shock and burns he received from the crash. His legs and arms were severely burned from the burning aircraft.
Bob D. Sutton
*****
March 23, 1946
To Whom It May Concern:
On April 4, 1944, James Murphy and I were acting as the crew aboard a TBF in Squadron 134 based on Green Island. In the process of landing while returning from a mission, we had a head on collision with two F6F fighter planes. Our plane and one F6F burst into flames. Lt. Glidden, pilot of our plane, and one F6F pilot burned to death. James and I were taken to Acorn #10 Hospital and placed in adjoining beds. For quite some time James kept yelling and cursing and calling for Lt. Glidden and me.
It wasn't until the following day that he calmed down. He then told hospital attendants that he couldn't see, but after a time regained his sight. James wasn't himself for a couple of days in that he didn't seem to know any of his friends. His face, arms, and legs were severely burned.
Doctors attending us were Lt. R. J. Kressler, squadron doctor, and Lt. Commander J. P. Fabian.
Joseph L. Solane
*****
April 16, 1946
Mr Dear Mr. Murphy:
I am directed by the Commandant of the Marine Corps to inform you that you are entitled to the Purple Heart in the name of the President and by direction of the Secretary of the Navy for burns sustained in action against an enemy of the United States on 4 April 1944, while a member of the U. S. Marine Corps Reserve. The medal is being forwarded to you under separate cover this date.
You are also entitled to the American Campaign Medal for one year's service in the United States during World War II; the Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal with one bronze star for your service in the Asiatic-Pacific Area, and the Victory Medal for World War II. The medals will be forwarded to you when available. In the event you change your address, please notify this office.
Sincerely yours,
A.E. O'NEIL,
Colonel, U. S. Marine Corps
*****
Sept. 24, 1947
To whom it may concern:
On April 4, 1944 while based at Green Island in the Nissan Group, South West Pacific area, and attached to Marine Torpedo Bombing Squadron 134 in the capacity of a turret gunner, I, Thomas E. Mullen formerly technical sergeant, service serial 438997 U.S.M.C.R. had been notified of a dental appointment at our medical center, while at the center I heard a terrific crash. Five minutes later the two injured men were brought to the dispensary. Mr. James Murphy was the second one brought into the first aid tent, and I personally observed Mr. Murphy's injuries. He had been badly burned about the face, arms and legs in his task of saving the life of his radioman Mr. Solame.
In the following weeks I observed Mr. Murphy being treated for his burns a the dispensary, as I myself had had a previous injury and we were both under treatment at the same time.
Thomas E. Mullen
*****
September 30, 1947
On April 4, 1944, on Green Island, James Murphy, turret gunner of a TBF, crashed into two F6Fs. The pilot was killed and the radio gunner was unconscious. James Murphy climbed out of the turret escape hatch, climbed out on the wing and took a look at the pilot and then went around the tail and pulled out the radio gunner.
The radio gunner was severely burned and James Murphy suffered burns on the arms, the legs and the face.
I, the undersigned, hereby swear that the above statements are to the best of my knowledge.
John F. Dumelle
*****
October 3, 1947
To Whom It May Concern:
This is being written at the request of a buddy of mine, who was in the same outfit as I, and who now needs help.
On the morning of April 4, 1944 I was ordered to duty involving the search for a PBJ medium bomber. The plane had been disabled and was forced down. There were known survivors, and our squadron was ordered to search for them. The weather conditions were bad: hazy, foggy and visibility was zero. One could hardly see the wingtips of their own plane. After the search was over, we started the return to the base and since most of the area was clouded to the extent that visibility was impossible, planes arrived at our base, Green Island, St. Mathais Group in whatever order they found it.
I had just landed when we became aware of an accident, which proved fatal to the pilot of the plane, a Lt. Glidden. Two F6Fs had figured in the collision, one of them head on with the Avenger in which Cpl. James Murphy was turret gunner and Cpl. J.K. Solane was radioman. Naturally everyone ran to the scene of the crack-up. Murphy made his escape via the emergency hatch, and then ran around to the door of the radio compartment and pulled the unconscious Solane from the blazing wreckage. Both were burned badly from the flames on the clothing of Solane who had lain in the oil and fuel that was afire. Both were then hospitalized.
It is the opinion, I believe, of everyone who saw the rescue, that Murphy saved the life of Solane, although Lt. Glidden never had a chance to escape. Both men Murphy and Solane were invalids for some time, being bandaged and unfit for some time. After a while both returned to the outfit as far as I know. James Murphy was on that search flight as ordered.
Cpl. James Murphy, while attached to VMTB-134, MAG-11, 1st MAW, was in the following engagements:1-Consolidation of the Solomons
2-Attack Jap positions on Bougainville
3-Bismarck Archipelago Operation
4-Defense of Piva Yoke (2nd Battle of Torokina)
Also in Hellzapoppin Ridge, Kavieng, Rabaul, as well as the airfields in the New Ireland and New Britain area. Assisted Infantry operation by air support.
I hereby give Cpl. James Murphy permission to use any papers, documents or certificates belonging to me for proving his point, whatever it may be. I swear or affirm all the aforegoing is true to the very best of my knowledge.
Emil E. Schmitt
*****
October 20, 1947
I certify that on April 4, 1944, on Green Island in the northern Solomons Group, South Pacific, James Murphy was injured by burning gasoline which resulted from a crash on landing. At this time, it is of my opinion that said James Murphy acted in a heroic manner in rescuing his fellow Radio Gunner, Solane, from the burning plane. His injuries extended to his hands, face, eyes and legs as well as great shock and bruises.
Chester A. Culbert
*****
November 18, 1947
Affidavit:
I, James M. Justice, do solemnly swear that the following facts are true to the best of my knowledge. While operating on Green Island with Squadron V.M.T.B. 134 participating on strikes on New Britain operating from Bougainville and Green Island I was an observer of the accident on landing strip in which James Murphy received shock and severe burns. I had just landed and was on the taxi strip, when two planes came together. There was a loud crash, and both planes burst into flame. We parked and ran to the accident. James Murphy had gotten out of his turret and was pulling his unconscious radio man from the burning plane. The were both rushed to the hospital, where they were treated for shock and severe burns about the arms and legs. (The pilots of both planes were killed.)
I hereby swear these statements to be true.
James M. Justice
*****
September 22, 1947
To whom it may concern:
On April 4, 1944 on Green Island, a torpedo bomber from the squadron I was attached to (VMTB-134) was involved in an accident with two F6F fighter planes attached to the First Marine Air Wing. The crew in the torpedo bomber was Lt. Miles Glidden, pilot, who was killed in the crash, P.F.C. Solane, radio gunner, and P.F.C. James Murphy, turret gunner. Solane received burns on his legs. Murphy received burns on his legs, face, and arms. One fighter pilot was killed and the other was injured; I do not know to what extent.
To the best of my knowledge this is how the accident happened. Our TBF was returning from a search mission. Lt. Glidden circled the field waiting for a green light to land. Visibility was poor due to fog. Lt. Glidden received a green light and evidently the fighter planes received the same green light. Lt. Glidden came in to land at one end of the field and the fighter planes came in at the other end of the field, both at the same time. They could not see each other because of the fog. The wheels of the TBF had just touched when it hit one F6F, knocking its wing off and then hit another F6F head-on. The impact from the planes hitting head on at landing speed was very terrific and was accompanied by gas explosion which resulted in fire. Fire enveloped the two planes and caused the ammunition to explode. Lt. Glidden was burned to death, Solane was knocked unconscious, James Murphy jumped through his safety hatch from the turret. He ran to the other side of the plane and went back into the burning plane to rescue the radio-gunner. Despite the flames Murphy carried Solane to safety.
I saw Murphy when he was released from the hospital. He was burned severely from the crash. He removed part of this bandages and showed me his arms and legs which were blistered and burned terribly. For a long time after his release from the hospital he had to report to sick-bay daily to have his burns dressed.
Sincerely,
Michael F. Dunn
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| Mom and Dad in Beverly after the war. |
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