I FLEW A CURTISS SEAGULL SCOUT SEAPLANE OFF USS PORTLAND AT THE BATTLE OF THE CORAL SEA ©
by Commander Ralph "Kaiser" Wilhelm, USN (Ret.)
On 8 June 1940, Ralph V. "Kaiser" Wilhelm graduated as a pilot from the Naval Air Station (NAS) at Pensacola, Florida and received his Wings of Gold and a commission as Ensign in the United States Naval Reserve (USNR). His first duty was flying scout observation catapult seaplanes from the heavy cruiser USS Portland which was then attached to the Hawaiian Detachment in Pearl Harbor.
Ralph
Wilhelm undertaking Instrument Flying Training at the Naval Air Station, Pensacola,
Florida. The aircraft is a Navy "Texan" SNJ trainer.
The version of this aircraft used by the Royal Air Force and Commonwealth countries
was called "Harvard" trainer
Ralph Wilhelm now gives an account in his own words of his service as a seaplane pilot aboard USS Portland from first joining the ship in July 1940 to the Battle of the Coral Sea, 7-8 May 1942.
Early Days aboard USS Portland
Flying secret Dispatches to Australia
The Battle of the Coral Sea, 7 May 1942
The Battle of the Coral Sea, 8 May 1942
About Commander Ralph "Kaiser" Wilhelm, USN (Ret.)
© Copyright Commander Ralph "Kaiser" Wilhelm, USN (Ret.). All rights reserved.This story has been reproduced on the Pacific War Web-site by permission of the copyright holder.