It was 10 years ago that the PBY Memorial Foundation was established in an effort to bring a Catalina seaplane back to Oak
Harbor and preserve its history.
Ironically, just two days after NAS Whidbey Island celebrated its 66th birthday, the PBY Memorial Foundation marked its 10th
anniversary Sept. 23 with a luncheon celebration at the CPO Club.
Among the crowd of 100 people were guest speaker base NAS Whidbey Commanding Officer, Capt. Gerral David, Oak Harbor
Mayor Jim Slowik and PBY president Win Stites, who once flew with Catalina squadron VP-91 from NAS Whidbey Island in 1945.
“The first PBY landed here in December 1942 when Lieutenant J.A. Morrison brought in the first Catalina, but had to land about
five miles out until a log boat could clear Crescent Harbor,” said David.
“This event may define the beginnings of naval history at this air station, but it’s important to realize that the mission of the base
hasn’t really changed since the 1940s.” David added that today’s men and women are still committed to protecting America’s
freedoms and defending the Constitution.
Stites was recognized as the man who got the whole PBY endeavor rolling in Oak Harbor. David read an excerpt from a 1998
“Crosswind,” predecessor to the Northwest Navigator, that read: “Stites is a man with a mission. He believes that the PBY
Catalina deserves a place of honor, something befitting an airplane with an illustrious record of contributions to the success of
major WWII naval battles by locating enemy flotillas.”
Stites felt Oak Harbor was the ideal spot for a Catalina historic monument, where PBY’s climbed the ramps to the old
Seaplane Base. The ramps can still be seen today jutting out into Crescent Harbor at the Navy Exchange parking lot.
The PBY Foundation once set up shop in downtown Oak Harbor at the old gas station on Pioneer Way. The doors closed
in December 2007 due to future development of that property. As a result, the PBY group asked NAS Whidbey Island to help find a
suitable location.
Coming full circle, the PBY Foundation display is now in Building 12, the original base administration building where
Sailors stood on the steps to commission the base on Sept. 21, 1942. At the luncheon, Stites thanked the many volunteers
who helped make the move in just three days. Among them were a VQ-1 crew headed by Senior Chief Craig Olson,
chief selectees, Navy and city fire fighters and the Whidbey Cruisers.
“It’s only right that we’re embarking on a partnership to establish a place where everyone can come to learn about the PBY
and the legacy of the base,” said David.
The command plans to expand the display areas in the two-story building to incorporate all base historical documents,
pictures and memorabilia. And when the foundation does find a PBY aircraft, it will go on static display in the grass area
near the old Laundromat which is earmarked for demolition, thus giving everyone a perfect view of the aircraft from the Maui Gate.
David told the audience he’s continuing to work on base access issues to make the display available to the general public
without compromising force protection.
“I offer my congratulations to you all as you celebrate your tenth anniversary,” David said in closing. “We thank you for your
dedication to carry on the rich legacy of the people, the aircraft and the mission of not only the PBY Catalina but the whole Naval Station
Whidbey Island.”
Currently the display is open on Fridays from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. in building 12. The foundation hopes to open the doors
on Saturdays as well, depending on more volunteer help. The display is for young and old alike, with aircraft models of every aircraft
ever flown from NAS Whidbey, a Catalina engine, vintage aircrew clothing, photos, PBY wing and more. The display will eventually
cover WWII, the Korean and Vietnam conflicts and from 1975 to present.
If you have guests or visitors looking for something to do, bring them to the display. For more information call 240-9500
or visit http://www.pbyma.org/