19 DECEMBER 1944
Captain Gerard F. Wientjes was returning from covering a strike on Negros, when they were ordered to investigate the report of a Navy Catalina down in the bay. Making a landing in unknown waters, they learned from natives that the six crewmembers of the striken aircraft had been forced to take to the mountains fivemiles away because of the danger from the Japanese garrison nearby. Risking detection by the enemy, Captain Wientjes and Lieutenant Carothers took off again to fly closer to the missing flyers' hideout and, landing amid dangerous coral reefs, made contact with three of the airmen. After dispatching a native to inform the other three, who had gone further back into the mountains, that they would be rescued on the following day, they took off with the survivors and, flying through heavy rainstorms, arrived safely at their base. The outstanding courage and devotion to duty displayed by these officers are worthy of commendation. (Captain Wientjes received the Distinguished Flying Cross for this mission. See the awards ceremony some time after April 1945.)

TIMELINE: documented by the crew and submitted with Squadron History:

1000:	Take-off
1120:	Position: 03°35'N, 126°45'E. Weather: scattered towering cumulus with high cirrus winds from the NE at 4000 ft. Sea, moderate. Slight haze reducing visibilty to 15 miles.
1300:	Received message from Adam that 3 men were at 17 Gilmore. Will pick them up on return trip. Position 06°10'N, 124°30'E. Winds NE, 10-15 knots. Towering cumulus clouds between 2500 and 5000 feet, also high stratus.
1340:	Large fire observed on coast of Mindanao, 10 miles E of Bongo Is.
1430:	Arrrived at Dipolog. Buzzed radio station twice, landed at 1500.
1545:	Took off from Dipolog and headed toward Sarangani Bay. Wind 40° / 8K.
1745:	Rain squall at 05°50'N, 125°E.
1755:	Circling Glan in search of the men who are down there.
1815:	Landed at Glan. Natives told us that the men are at Hq, 5 miles inland. There are no Japs on the entire penninsula. We circled over Hq. There were nine survivors, but 3 died. The remaining survivors are being cared for by a Filipino MD.
1840:	Landed again to await the arrival of the men.
2100:	Took off with 3 men all in good condition. The other 3 men were on their way down from the hills and will be Glan Pt in the morning. Until 2 months ago there were but 500 Japs in the area. Today there are between 7 and 10 thousand Japs between the Buayan River and the Selvag River. This force is believed to be a rear flank for the main army in Mindanao. They hae also built a paved road between Buayan and Dogor upon which they move supplies at night by truck. The American Colonel in charge said they are in dire need of medical supplies and arms. The 3 survivors who wre rescued were crewmembers of a Navy Black Cat. (#46512) which had hit the water in Sarangani Bay by accident at 0200 6 Dec 1944. 3 men were killed. Names of the survivors: R.L. Nason, Radio Opr.; R.E. Middlebrooks, 2nd Mech; J.K. Allen, Ordinance. All are attached to Navy VBB 271.
2355:	Landed