Station HYPO

By Bud Beck

It all began at Wahiawa in the later part of 1944 when section 3 reported to op 4 for the eve watch. The memorandum on the bulletin board glared “Volunteers needed for Island ‘X’ – sign up below” The memo was originated by CRE Schmelzer, The Pacific HF/DF Net Control Officer. It was common knowledge that Iwo Jima was the designated Island “X.” Missing at that time was a better understanding of the word “Volunteer.” CRE Schmelzer was to be OIC of Station X, but was later replaced by LTJG William Bobek. Iwo Jima was designated Station “AN.” When the USN station number system was initiated, the station designator was changed to USN 505. The list filled up fast and sixteen volunteers and the OIC were selected. They included:

The capture of Iwo Jima was a turning point in the Pacific theater, not only for its brutal combat but for its immense strategic value. Securing the island allowed U.S. forces to construct vital airstrips that immediately supported the war effort. The newly built runways enabled crippled B-29 Superfortresses returning from bombing missions over Japan to land safely, saving thousands of aircrew lives. The island also served as an essential forward base for Army Air Forces fighters—P-51 Mustangs and P-47 Thunderbolts—which could now escort B-29s deeper into Japanese territory, dramatically increasing mission success and reducing bomber losses.