26 April 56 – USS Corporal (SS 346) While participating in ASW exercise off Key West Florida, copied a distress call from Navy helicopter 51. The Chopper, also participating in the exercise, developed an oil leak and was in danger of being forced to ditch in the ocean. The Corporal blew ballast, surfaced and proceeded to the copter’s location and aligned itself under the chopper and directed the aircraft to land on its aft deck. Barely fitting (parts of all three tires were over the edge of the narrow aft deck) the chopper managed to shut down the engine before the oil leak resulted in catastrophic engine damage. The boat’s crew secured the chopper to the deck and successfully returned to port. The chopper was repaired and returned to service.
© Gregg Smith
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