Rescue - Surigao Straits

Lt.(jg) Howard West recorded the following in the BUSH deck logs, "1006-Maneuvered on various courses and speeds to investigate flashing light bearing 233 ^oT. 1014-Flashing light identified as signal from rubber life raft containing two men. 1025-The following survivors were brought on board: 2nd Lieutenant R. R. Seay, USA, (Pilot) and 2nd Lieutenant J. H. Gamble, USA, (Co-Pilot), both attached to 822nd Bomb Squadron, 38th Bomb Group, 5th Bomber Command, Morotai. These officers were the only two survivors of B-25, No. 953 which was hit by anti-aircraft fire while on bombing mission over Ormoc Bay, Leyte Island, Philippine Archipelgo." (EDITOR'S NOTE: The twin engine B-25 typically carried a crew of six.)

The rescue of these pilots was captured on 16MM film. The film, originally shot by the ship's doctor, Lt. George Johnson, was found in the US National Archives, and a copy transferred to videotape. The still images on this page were made from the videotape copy of Lt. Johnson's original 16MM film. Although these images did not convert as well for web use as other pictures on this website, they turned out pretty well considering the age and quality of the original film. It is interesting to note that the Navy was using color film for the 16MM cameras aboard the USS BUSH, and likely other ship's as well.