01 OCTOBER 1944
First Lieutenant John R. Dickinson, pilot of the rescue ship "Daylight One Three", landed in an extremely rough sea, one and one half miles off the Southeast coast of Waigeo Island and rescued Lieutenant John McGee of the 419th Fighter Squadron, who was forced to ditch his disabled P-38 at sea because of engine failure. Lieutenant McGee, in his life raft, was rapidly being swept ashore over a rocky reef. Had he not been rescued, his chances of reaching shore alive would have been extremely remote. On landing in heavy seas, the rescue ship received extensive damage to the hull and rapidly filled with water. The continuous bailing by the crew prevented the ship from capsizing. Lieutenant Dickinson radioed for help. A PT boat arrived at 2400 stood by during the remainder of the long night. The sea increased in fury during the night, and all crewmembers became violently sea sick. At 0600, 2nd October, the damaged plane was towed 15 miles into a sheltered cove where it was beached. It was so severely damaged, take-off was impossible. All secret of confidential papers and equipment were either destroyed or removed and these were returned to their base by PT boat. A repair crew was flown back to the stricken ship where temporary repairs were made and the ship flown back to its base. It was again in operation within a few months. Lieutenant Dickinson displayed great courage and skill in effecting the rescue, under such hazardous conditions, knowing full well that his ship would suffer severe damage on landing in such a sea. However, he felt that the possibility of saving Lieutenant McGee was worth the chance, thereby upholding the highest traditions of the rescue service. He is to be highly commended on his gallant and dangerous rescue.

Photos: [Photo-1] [Photo-2] [Photo-3] [Photo-4] [Photo-5] [Photo-6] [Photo-7]

(Read the timeline given by the crew)

1600:	Received information from Operation on "Snafu" off Cape Momfafa, Waigeo Island.
1615:	Took off Middleburg Island.
1620:	Contact "Otto" by radio (4475). Received bearing to "Snafu" from Middleburg 270�
1645:	Arrived Cape Momfafa, but could not find four "Uncles" circling "Snafu". Proceeded North around Waigeo Island for ten minutes, but still did not see circling "Uncles". Returned to Cape Momfafa. 1655 Contacted "Otto" received fighter grid pos of 27 Quimby 28. Also at this time made contact with "Panther Black", four "Uncles" circling "Snafu" and received from them a  pin point position. 33 miles North Jeffman Island, 1-1/2 miles off shore Waigeo.
1710:	Sighted "Uncles" circling "Snafu"
1715:	Sighted snafu "Uncle" pilot in life raft with Mae West on.
1720:	Circled again, pilot dropped sea marker dye, and Sgt Jennings dropped smoke bomb within fifty ft of position. Difficult to establish rough state of sea due to poor light. Pilot made decision to land because snafued pilot was approaching rocky cliff with large breakers. Would have been impossible to make shore landing in life raft without being killed. 1730 Landed to the South 100 yards north of pilot. Impossible to see pilot from landing position due to swells six to ten ft high. Contacted "Panther Black" to direct us from air to pilot in life raft. More later...

AIRCRAFT TYPE: OA-10A*
USAAF SERNO: 44-33878  (CV-328)**
CALLSIGN:  "Daylight 13"  
CREW: (Pilot) 1st Lt. John R. Dickinson; (Co-Pilot) 2nd Lt. Larry E. Bormann; (Navigator) 2nd Lt. Charles E. Carver Jr.; (Engineer) Staff Sergeant Oral M. Lawson; (Radio Opr) Sergeant William D. Craighead; (Radar) Sergeant Robert J. Jennings; (Surgical Tech) Sergeant Joseph W. Gutman