WARBUG IN THE PACIFIC

Surviving combat in a Stinson OY-1/L-5

- BY LT. THOMAS ROZGA, USMC (RET.), AS TOLD TO AND WRITTEN BY JAMES P. BUSHA

I ENTERED THE SERVICE FOR TWO REASONS in late December 1941 my brother Tony had earned his wings in 1940 and I wanted to be just like him, but more importantly, the Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor and I wanted to return the favor. By the time I earned my wings, I was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the Marine Corps and was assigned to fly Corsairs. Unfortunately, I had a little mishap with one on landing so they thought I would be better suited flying the PBY Catalina. The PBY was old, slow, and reliable and could do just about anything-at half the speed of a Scooter! I have to admit the scenery was quite nice flying around the Caribbean in 1943 looking for German U-boats, but I still wanted to get into some action. In early 1944 I got more than I bargained for when I received orders to report to Quantico, Virginia, to join a VMO squadron.

Lt. Tom Rozga and “Lady Satan” on Iwo after she grew fangs in the form of six bazooka tubes. They could be fired singly or all at one time. He utilized them as a ground attack machine and admitted they weren't very accurate but made a big explosion. (Photo courtesy of Tom Rozga)

VMO: Eyes and ears of the Marine Corps