March 12, 1944 (Sunday)

“Cactus,” Carney Field, Guadalcanal

Took PB4Y out on an “aerial picnic” with most of the Utility Unit along. They were all short on flight time. We also had a photographer along for pictures. Chased Lew Hird, in the J2F Duck, partway up the Slot, then turned off to look at the old Jap planes along Rekata Bay. We then headed SE to the Stewart Islands, which we gave a thorough going over. Then home. Five hours. A waste of gas, but needed for morale of unit. 

Another search plane (a PBY night snooper) disappeared in the same area the other three planes have been lost in the last week. They are beginning to suspect a sub.