LORAN STATION SAIPAN ISLAND
15 07 50.1 N 145 41 40.20 E (SEP/OCT 1944)
15 07 46.76 N 145 41 38.11 E (1960 Murcury Datum)
Fact Sheet:
| Site Survey: | SEP/OCT 1944 |
| Construction Date | 05 NOV 1944 - 16 NOV 1944 - Equipment in trailers, crew in tents 1945 - Quonset huts erected 1952 - Signal/Power Building constructed - Concrete Block 1953 - Station Rehabititated 1956 - Station buildings constructed - Concrete Block |
| Constructed by: |
05 NOV - 16 NOV 1944 - Construction Detachment "C" |
| Established: |
01 MAR 1945 - Station commissioned - Operations turned over to D14 |
| Disestablished: |
JAN 1978 - LORAN A |
| Operated by: |
U.S. Coast Guard |
| Chain: |
LORAN A: LORAN C Monitor: |
| Station Letter designation: |
2L3 "A" |
| Station code name: |
|
| Station Unit Number: Mailing Address: |
U.S.C.G. Unit 337 1971 - FPO, San Francisco, 96637 |
| Radio Call Sign: |
LORAN A:
|
| Station aka: |
SAIPAN |
| On-air testing date: |
16 NOV 1944 - Station ready to go on-air. COCOS ISLAND still under construction |
| In-Service: |
16 DEC 1944 |
| Operations Ceased: |
LORAN A: LORAN C Monitor: |
| Station Operation: |
LORAN A: Single Master (DS) |
| Station pair: |
4H3, 2H3 COCOS ISLAND |
| Loran Rate: |
4H3; 2H3; 2L3
|
| On-Air: |
4H3 (M) - 16 DEC 1944 - COCOS ISLAND |
| Off-Air |
4H3 (M) - 01 JUN 1952 - Change of Rate
|
| Monitor Rate: |
FEB 1964 - JUN 1981 - NWPAC SAM (M-W; M-Z)
|
| Equipment: |
LORAN A: LORAN C: |
| Personnel Allowance: |
JAN 1953 - 13 Enlisted
|
Mascots: |
1949 - Bouncer and Blackie
|
| Miscellaneous: |
Two-Thirds of island off-limits in conjunction with CIA training inflitration techniques to the Tawian Chinese. 1947 - Non-restricted station 1953 - Declared Isolated station 1966 - Non-restricted for certain dependents 1967 - Station named changed from SAIPAN to SAIPAN ISLAND 05 - 19 APR 1968 - Typhoon JEAN (ASIANG) Caterogy 3 struck island - station off-air - Transmission tower destroyed 1971 - Station assumed ATON responsibilities for Tanapag Harbor Range and Managahs Island Light plus the island weather reports. FEB 1975 - Non-restricted to all crew members Hotel is now occupying the site. |
| Commanding Officers / |
CO:
ENS Robert O. Leming 1945 - 1946 LTJG Ralph M. Hartwell - year unknown LORAN C NWPAC System Area Monitor: |
Fred's Place Reunion Hall: OLD NEW
Awards:
LORANGE, David M., Boatswain's Mate Second Class, USCG (Extraordinary Heroism)
Date of Action: 19 March 1979
Date of Award: 21 June 1979
Petty Officer LORANGE is cited for extraordinary heroism of the afternoon of 19 March 1979 when he rescued a young boy from drowning in the turbulent surf at Agingan Point, Saipan, Northern Marianas Islands. The boy and a friend were fishing off the pointt when he was swept out to sea by the high surf. His young companion tossed a log out to the boy and ran for help. When advised of the accident, Petty Officer LORANGE and three shipmates from U. S. Coast Guard Loran Station Saipan immediately proceeded to the scene. Upon arrival, the boy was observed approximately 70-yards offshore, holding on to the log in an area locally known as "Shark Alley". With complete disgard for his own safety, Petty Officer LORANGE dove off the 10 to 12-foot cliff and swam through the 15-foot breaking surf and 10-foot swellsto the helpless boy. Reaching the bleeding victim, Petty Officer LORANGE quickly calmed him down and towed him to the base of the cliff. The other Coast Guardsmen then tossed him a life ring with a line attached. While being pulled to safety, Petty Officer LORANGE maintained his hold on the boy while using his feet to fend off the side of the cliff. With the boy safety ashore, Petty Officer LORANGE, a trained EMT, assisted in treating the boy for shock and lacerations while enroute to the hospital. Petty Officer LORANGE demonstrated remarkable initiative, exceptional fortitude, and daring in spite of imminent personal danger in this rescue. His unselfish actions, courage and unwavering devotion to duty reflect the highest credit upon himself and the United States Coast Guard.
Coast Guard Restrictive Duty Ribbon
(Prior to 30 MAR 1967)
Change of Command; Letter of Relief
22 JUL 1969 - LT Sellers/LTjg Thomson - pdf
Documents:
07 APR 1948 - USCGC KUKUI Inspection and Maintenance Report - pdf (incomplete)
13 AUG 1956 - Overseas Loran Station Survey Report - pdf
NOV 1971 - General Information Book - pdf
MAR 1977 - General Information Book - pdf
27 APR 1981 - D14 OPODR 06-81 To Disestablish LORMONSTA SAIPAN - pdf
JUN 1981 - Commandant Bulletin - End of an Era written by ETC B. C. Waldon - pdf
020140Z JUL 81 - Disestablishment of Loran Monitor Station message - pdf
Pictures: Click on picture for a larger image
Contributed Photos by Loel Reinhart c./1946
Contributed Photos by Jack Winslade c./1969
Contributed Photos by Marvin Sellers (CO 1969 - 1971)
Contributed Photos by Paul Magdraz c./1978
Picture from Google Earth
Photos Below are c./1955
The 1955 crew
Station Patch c./1978
Contributed by Angus MacFeeley
Thanks Gus!
The below photo was contributed by Mike Blaschum
This is our groundskeeper whom we named Joe Booney. While mowing the field, Joe
would occasionally run into some unexploded ordinance from the war. We would
put it in an underground storage area until the Navy EOD team would come down
and denotate it.
Joe lived in the hills during the war and supposedly two Japanese soldiers came to his
hut and tried to kidnap his daughter. Joe fought them off and threw them both off
the mountain. (his story, not mine) I did believe him though. He was one tough guy!
Thanks Mike!