VMD-154 Advance Echelon

The Advance Echelon of VMD-154 was ordered to the South Pacific in September 1942. Sixteen men led by Lt. Edward A. Dickson were transported on the S.S. Lurline to New Caledonia. From this location, they prepared for the arrival of the Forward Echelon.

In the August 1999 "VMD-154 Newsletter," David E. Fry gave the following account: "Some of the squadron, Lt. Dickson and fifteen enlisted men, went over on the Lurline to New Caledonia. We were supposed to be picked up by the squadron, but they forgot us. We were stranded there for over a month. While waiting to be picked up, Sgt. Bibee borrowed an SNJ to keep his flight time up, and I flew with him."

Sincere thanks to Dallas L. Willis for donating photos and Advance Echelon information. Additional thanks to Arvel D. Koon and David E. Fry for their contributions to this page.

The Advance Echelon to South Pacific Campaigns

Lt. DICKSON, Edward A.
MT/Sgt. BIBEE, Albert J.
BENSON, Leroy H.
CASSIDY, Byron E.
FRY, David E.
HOBART, Harrison S.
KOON, Arvel Dale
McNAUGHTON, Paul J.
MIKULA, John P.
PUC, Frank
ROSEN, John
STEPANOVICH, John
WILLIS, Dallas L.
WILSON, Eugene
WYATT, Edward B.
ZERBA, Frank J.

Weighed Anchor
Date - Place
9/15/1942 - San Diego, Calif.
S.S. Lurline

Dropped Anchor
Date - Place
9/28/1942 - Noumea, New Caledonia

Weighed Anchor
Date - Place
12/12/1942 - New Caledonia

Dropped Anchor
Date - Place
12/17/1942 - Espiritu Santo, New Hebrides