SURVIVED ATTACK BY NORTH KOREA JETS
On June 16, 1959, Navy P4M1-Q Mercator (BuNo 122209) departed Naval Air Station, Atsugi, Japan, for a routine reconnaissance flight over the Sea of Japan to collect electronic emissions coming from North Korea. The P4M, a long-range patrol aircraft, was powered with four engines, two 28-cylinder radial engines for cruising and two turbojets for added power on takeoff and additional speed. These were hazardous flights although they were conducted far from land over international waters.
As BuNo 122209 cruised at 7,000 feet approximately 45-miles off the coast of North Korea, it was attacked from the rear by two jets, the rear aircraft gun was knocked out and the gunner, AE2 Donald Eugene Corder, was seriously injured by multiple pieces of shrapnel and incapacitated. LCDR Vincent Joseph Anania, the assigned co-pilot, was at the controls and immediately dove down until only 50-feet above the ocean. The attacking jets were unable to get below their target to make successful attacks and they concentrated their gunfire on the starboard wing of BuNo 122209 until the two engines there were disabled. The jets then concentrated their gunfire on the port wing but because their target was only a few feet above the water their gunfire was not too effective. After a short period, probably because they were out of ammunition or their fuel supply was getting low, the two jets abruptly left the scene. The starboard radial engine was successfully started but the oil gauge indicated the oil tank was empty, the engine began smoking badly, and it was necessary to feather it. The starboard jet was fired up, but it would only run for a few minutes and then would flame out as oil dripping from the radial engine caused it to flame out. It was soon necessary to discard the two engines as hopeless. The crew then began throwing overboard anything that could be discarded. It was also discovered that severe damage had occurred to the tail and the rudder was inoperative. Using the two port engines, flight remained possible and BuNo 122209 limped along at approximately 1000 feet altitude until they reached Japan. By now, LCDR Donald Robert Mayer, the plane commander, had assumed control and with no rudder control successfully landed the aircraft at Miho Air Base near Atsugi. Both pilots were awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for their efforts. The aircraft was subsequently scrapped because of its extensive damage.
Vincent Joseph Anania remained on active duty until retiring with the rank of Captain. His last duty assignment was as Naval Attaché to NATO in Naples, Italy. He died on March 1, 2008 at Chapel Hill, North Carolina, and his ashes have been interred at the Naval Academy Cemetery.
DISTINGUISHED FLYING CROSS CITATION
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Lieutenant Commander Vincent J. Anania (NSN: 389321/1310), United States Navy, for heroism and extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as Pilot of P4M-1Q BuNo 122209 attached to Electronic Countermeasures Squadron ONE on 16 June 1959. While on a routine training flight over international waters in the Sea of Japan his aircraft was attacked without warning by two MiG fighter aircraft of unknown nationality who savagely pressed home their attack in six passes repeatedly hitting the P4M-1Q with 20-mm. gunfire. His extraordinary skill in conducting evasive maneuvers successfully minimized the number of hits scored by the attackers. With the starboard reciprocating and jet engines inoperative, the rudder controls shot away, and extensive damage to the fuselage and wings, he demonstrated superb airmanship in maintaining his plane in flight for over 300 miles to Miho Air Base, Japan, where a safe landing was made. His courage, skill, and devotion to duty in the face of unexpected peacetime hostile gunfire are in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
Submitted by CDR Roy A. Mosteller, USNR (Ret)
