The first warplanes based at Whidbey were the PV1s. Probably about the same time as the PBYs. These Venturas, the PV1s, were the forerunners of the P2Vs. Many many squadrons of the PV1s trained there and were sent north to the Aleutian Islands during WW2, probably starting in 1942 or 43 and continuing until the end of the war. Many of them died up there in the cold North Pacific.

I know you are not spearheading this project, but I hope you can get this message to the proper people. Wouldn’t it be nice if all the patrol squadrons that were based on Whidbey, could be honored?

With best regards, former Navy pilot with three tours on Whidbey.

Gene Cauche

Sun City, Ariz.