Miguel Nava '17
On February 7, 2024 Captain Miguel Nava, USMC '17 was killed in a helicopter crash. Please consider a donation to his family to honor his service, and the incredible sacrifice of his wife and five-month-old son.

ARNOLD J. ISBELL, CAPT, USN

From USNA Virtual Memorial Hall
Arnold Isbell '21

Date of birth: September 22, 1899

Date of death: March 19, 1945

Age: 45

Lucky Bag

From the 1921 Lucky Bag:

1921 Isbell LB.jpg

Arnold Jay Isbell

Logan, Iowa

"Izzy" "Buster"

SINCE Izzy's advent here, his many, abilities and characteristics have made for him many friends. His brains are legion as the sign of wisdom on his collar indicates. His athletic ability, so well evidenced by his lacrosse and wrestling during Youngster year, have been overcome by the Sirens of Nicotine, Sleep, and the Red Book. But these are unheard when a classmate wrecked on the Academic Seas has called for his aid.

There is a corner in the hearts of all for Izzy, for his easy-going ways, his ready smile, and his willingness to play the game, whatever it may be, according to Hoyle. And when the gang is gathered around it makes one's heart warm to hear him sing, as he thinks of days soon to come,

"On the shores of California, Where the balmy breezes blow,
I can see an earthly Paradise
In a little bungalow.
All the joys of earth and heaven Seem to come to me as one,

And her love will make life glisten As dew sparkles in the sun."

Star (4, 3); Two Stripes; Clean Sleeve; LNT (3); WNT (3).


The Class of 1921 was the last of the wartime-accelerated classes. "1921A" was graduated on June 3, 1920; the second half, "1921B", was graduated on June 2, 1921. Arnold was graduated with 1921A.

1921 Isbell LB.jpg

Arnold Jay Isbell

Logan, Iowa

"Izzy" "Buster"

SINCE Izzy's advent here, his many, abilities and characteristics have made for him many friends. His brains are legion as the sign of wisdom on his collar indicates. His athletic ability, so well evidenced by his lacrosse and wrestling during Youngster year, have been overcome by the Sirens of Nicotine, Sleep, and the Red Book. But these are unheard when a classmate wrecked on the Academic Seas has called for his aid.

There is a corner in the hearts of all for Izzy, for his easy-going ways, his ready smile, and his willingness to play the game, whatever it may be, according to Hoyle. And when the gang is gathered around it makes one's heart warm to hear him sing, as he thinks of days soon to come,

"On the shores of California, Where the balmy breezes blow,
I can see an earthly Paradise
In a little bungalow.
All the joys of earth and heaven Seem to come to me as one,

And her love will make life glisten As dew sparkles in the sun."

Star (4, 3); Two Stripes; Clean Sleeve; LNT (3); WNT (3).


The Class of 1921 was the last of the wartime-accelerated classes. "1921A" was graduated on June 3, 1920; the second half, "1921B", was graduated on June 2, 1921. Arnold was graduated with 1921A.

Loss

Arnold was lost on March 19, 1945 when USS Franklin (CV 13) was heavily damaged by a Japanese bomber. He was aboard as a passenger, en route to take command of USS Yorktown (CV 10).

Other Information

From researcher Kathy Franz:

Arnold graduated from Logan schools in 1917.

He married Augerita “Rita” Coulthard in July 1920, but they divorced in August, 1922. On June 14, 1924, he married Margarita Mayes in Pensacola.

His father Charles was a railroad agent in Iowa who later was an investigator and lawyer for the Federal Trade Commission in Chicago. His mother was Mary, and his sister was Ida.

In June, 1942, he was ordered to Alaska and became commandant of the naval operations base at Sitka, where he also was commander of the naval air station. He then was ordered back to the bureau of ordnance and then assigned to sea duty in March, 1943.

From Navsource:

Arnold J. Isbell, born on 22 September 1899 in Quimby, Iowa, entered the Naval Academy on 24 July 1917 and graduated on 3 June 1920 (a year ahead of schedule due to acceleration of midshipman training during World War I) with class 21A of the Class of 1921. Isbell then served successive tours of duty in Melville (AD-2), Bath (AK-4), and the fast minelayers Ingraham (DM-9) and Burns (DM-11) before beginning flight instruction at the Naval Air Station, Pensacola, Fla., on 30 June 1923. He then briefly served as an instructor there before reporting to Observation Squadron 1, based in the minelayer Aroostook (CM-3) which was then serving as an aircraft tender, in November 1924. In March of the following year, he was transferred to the aviation unit of the battleship Tennessee (BB-43). Following two years of postgraduate work in ordnance back at the Naval Academy between the summers of 1926 and 1928, he received further flight instruction at Washington, D.C., under the supervision of the post graduate school, before going to sea with Torpedo Squadron IB in aircraft carrier Lexington (CV-2).

Isbell then served in the Aviation Ordnance Section of the Bureau of Ordnance (BuOrd) in Washington before reporting to Newport News, Va., on 16 September 1933 to participate in the fitting out of the Navy's first aircraft carrier to be built as such from the keel up, Ranger (CV-4). Following a brief tour of duty in that ship, he served from 6 June 1934 to 9 June 1936 in carrier Saratoga (CV-3) as gunnery officer on the staff of Rear Admiral (later Vice Admiral) Henry V. Butler, Commander, Aircraft, Battle Force.

Isbell subsequently flew as executive officer of Patrol Squadron (VP) 7F based in aircraft tender Wright (AV-1) from 9 June 1936 to 1 June 1937 before commanding one of the five squadrons of the Aviation Training Department at NAS Pensacola, VN-4D8. While at Pensacola, he won the coveted Schiff Trophy, "emblematic of maximum safety in aircraft operation."

In the early summer of 1939, Lt. Comdr. Isbell assumed command of VP-11 (later redesignated VP-54). The German invasion of Poland on 1 September 1939 found VP-54 based at Norfolk, Va.; engaged in biennial maintenance of its dozen PBY-2 flying boats. Eight days later, a detachment of six planes departed Norfolk and arrived at Newport, R.I., their assigned base, that same day. The entire squadron resumed operations on Norfolk on 14 November 1939, relieving VP-53 on the Middle Atlantic Patrol.

During one of the flights his squadron conducted in the initial selection and survey of Army and Navy base sites in Newfoundland in the autumn of 1940, sites obtained in the "destroyers-for-bases" deal of the summer before, Isbell found himself in the path of a hurricane. In an attempt to evade the storm, Isbell skillfully maneuvered his aircraft in the murk until exceptionally strong headwinds forced him to make an emergency night landing on Prince Edward Island. Isbell took off before daybreak, despite fog and violent winds, and reached his destination without mishap. After completing his inspection over uninhabited regions and seacoast areas, Isbell returned to Newfoundland to carry out an aerial survey of Argentia, a place soon to become famous as the site of the "Atlantic Charter" conference. Isbell's expert airmanship and tenacious devotion to completing his mission resulted in his receiving the Air Medal.

Relieved of command of VP-54 on 15 April 1941, Isbell then served successive tours of duty in a staff capacity, first for Commander, Patrol Wing, Support Force (16 April-2 October 1941) as that command's planes escorted North Atlantic convoys; then as chief of staff and aide for Rear Admirals Ernest D. McWhorter and Alva D. Bernhard, Commander, Patrol Wings, Atlantic Fleet (3 October 1941-11 June 1942), before assuming command of NAS, Sitka, Alaska, on 5 June 1942. Promoted to captain during his time in the Aleutians, Isbell then served briefly in BuOrd before assuming command of the escort carrier Card (CVE-11) on 17 April 1943.

For the next year, Card ranged the essential lifeline across the Atlantic to North Africa, earning together with her escorting destroyers, a Presidential Unit Citation under the resourceful "Buster" Isbell, who believed firmly in the potential of the CVE, maintaining that such a ship, together with her escorts, "could most effectively whip the submarine menace, as an independent offensive group rather than as a mere tag, along protector of a single convoy." Isbell used the year he commanded Card wisely to vindicate his belief. As antisubmarine task group commander between 27 July and 9 November 1943, Isbell developed his escort carrier-destroyer unit into a powerful combat force, refining tactics to meet the operational demands imposed by a wily and tenacious foe and wresting the initiative from his hands. Card sought out the enemy undersea craft with relentless determination m a vigorous offensive and struck with a devastating coordinated action that destroyed eight U-boats between 7 August and 31 October 1943.

Detached from Card on 9 March 1944, Isbell-who had been awarded a Legion of Merit for his important work in Card, took his intimate knowledge of combatting U-boats to Washington, where he served in the 10th Fleet, a shipless "fleet" set up to research and develop tactics for antisubmarine warfare. Following this tour of shore duty, which lasted into 1945, Isbell was slated to receive command of a fast carrier. On 26 February 1945, he was ordered to the Pacific for temporary duty in Franklin (CV-13). On 13 March 1945, further orders directed him to relieve Captain Thomas S. Combs as commanding officer of Yorktown (CV-10). However, Captain Isbell perished when a Japanese plane scored two bomb hits that touched off a conflagration in Franklin, the carrier in which he was embarked as a passenger, off Kyushu on 19 March 1945.

His wife, Margarita, was listed as next of kin. He was also survived by his sons Don (USMA '55) and younger son, Charlie (USNA '54). (He was previously married to Minnie Couthard; they had no children together.)

Arnold has a memory marker in Iowa; he is also listed at the Courts of the Missing in Hawaii.

Remembrances

From USS Arnold J. Isbell (DD 869):

I was 12 when he died, but I remember a loved family hero, good looking, smart, and with a great sense of humor.

Arnold as a pudgy tot. He and my mother were born about 20 months apart in Oto, Iowa. I believe that at that time Arnold’s father was with the railroad. Arnold was named after my grandfather’s father, who’s last name was Arnold, and was a Civil War veteran. I don’t believe that either Arnold or my mother knew him. The family moved to Logan, Iowa, and Arnold went to school there. Tales are that he was a ‘good but wild’ kid, and I think everyone was glad when he got into the Academy. He attended in ’17 and graduated in ’20. I believe they were hurrying people through because of WWI.

Arnold loved flying and he was in it early. I remember that he was in charge of a group flying in Alaska. Before that he flew a lot.

Zoe Montague, the niece of Capt. Isbell

Photographs

Wartime Experience

From the Globe-Gazette, Mason City, Iowa, November 11, 1943:

Lt. Charles H. Hutchins, 31, Terre Haute, Ind., skipper of the sunken destroyer Borie, told Thursday how his engine room crew struggled in water up to their necks to keep power on, while fellow sailors battled with everything – cannon, empty shell cases, tommy guns, signal pistols and even knives – to destroy a U-boat pinned under the ship’s hull.

The Borie finally sank the submarine, the second within a matter of hours, but she herself had to be sunk the next day by bombs from carrier planes after receiving mortal wounds in ramming the second sub. . . .

Capt. Arnold J. Isbell of Chicago, skipper of the Card, described the difficulties of rescuing the Borie’s men after the order to abandon ship had been given.

Two other destroyers – the Goff and the Barry – had been detailed to pick up survivors.

“A carrier is a pretty helpless sort of thing and with the 2 destroyers picking up survivors we were left alone,” Isbell said. “We traveled around in a wide circle at full speed. And full speed in those heavy seas was only about 10 knots.

“We were quite sure there were a large number of submarines in the area. As a matter of fact we picked up the presence of 2 of them and one got to within 2,800 yards of us. But each time we signalled the destroyers and they would charge in and drive them off.”

He told how Lt. Harry Fryatt, Waukesha, Wis., made a one-wheel landing in darkness on the carrier’s deck after his hydraulic gear mechanism had been shot away in a battle with a sub.

“First we landed all the other planes and got all but 2 below,” he related. “Then we asked Fryatt to begin the approach. He tried twice but came in too high. Then he asked for permission to land in the water. We told him no, we wanted him to try to land on deck.”

On the third try Fryatt felt for the deck. He brought the plane down but missed the arresting gear and ended up on the forecastle, executing what would be a perfect shot – in billiards. He hit one plane, bounced back and hit the other, knocking it into the sea.

Fryatt and his 2 companions were uninjured. But as the other plane went overboard, it knocked a carrier officer into the sea. He signalled with a flashlight and was rescued by the destroyer Barry.

Sioux City Journal, Iowa, March 28, 1944, reported that Arnold “was awarded the distinguished service medal for his accomplishments as a captain of an antisubmarine task force in the Atlantic from July 27 to November 9, 1943. The citation said his force ‘achieved a notable record of submarine sinkings in this vitally strategic area.’”

Sioux City Journal, April 17, 1944, reported that he was awarded the air medal. The citation read: “For meritorious achievement while participating in aerial flight as commanding officer of V. P. squadron 54 during the initial selection and survey of United States army and navy bases in Newfoundland in September and October, 1940. Skillfully maneuvering his plane in an attempt to evade a hurricane while en route with an accompanying craft to a rendezvous with high military officials in Newfoundland, Capt. (then commander) Isbell was finally forced by exceptionally strong headwinds to effect a night landing on Prince Edward island. Menaced by the hurricane center, which was but 20 miles distant, he took off before daylight in fog and violent winds and reached his destination without mishap. Successfully completing the inspection tour over uninhabited regions and seacoast areas, Capt. Isbell returned later to carry out the first aerial survey ever made of Argentia, Newfoundland. His expert airmanship and tenacious devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States naval service.”

Distinguished Flying Cross

From Hall of Valor:

(Citation Needed) - SYNOPSIS: Captain Arnold J. Isbell (NSN: 0-56866), United States Navy, was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight during World War II.

General Orders: American Battle Monuments Commission
Service: Navy
Rank: Captain

Navy Directories & Officer Registers

The "Register of Commissioned and Warrant Officers of the United States Navy and Marine Corps" was published annually from 1815 through at least the 1970s; it provided rank, command or station, and occasionally billet until the beginning of World War II when command/station was no longer included. Scanned copies were reviewed and data entered from the mid-1840s through 1922, when more-frequent Navy Directories were available.

The Navy Directory was a publication that provided information on the command, billet, and rank of every active and retired naval officer. Single editions have been found online from January 1915 and March 1918, and then from three to six editions per year from 1923 through 1940; the final edition is from April 1941.

The entries in both series of documents are sometimes cryptic and confusing. They are often inconsistent, even within an edition, with the name of commands; this is especially true for aviation squadrons in the 1920s and early 1930s.

Alumni listed at the same command may or may not have had significant interactions; they could have shared a stateroom or workspace, stood many hours of watch together… or, especially at the larger commands, they might not have known each other at all. The information provides the opportunity to draw connections that are otherwise invisible, though, and gives a fuller view of the professional experiences of these alumni in Memorial Hall.

January 1921
Ensign, USS Melville
January 1922
Ensign, USS Ingraham
May 1923
Ensign, USS Burns
September 1923
Lieutenant (j.g.), under instruction, Naval Air Station Pensacola, Florida

November 1923
Lieutenant (j.g.), under instruction, Naval Air Station Pensacola, Florida

May 1924
Lieutenant (j.g.), under instruction, Naval Air Station Pensacola, Florida

July 1924
Lieutenant (j.g.), under instruction, Naval Air Station Pensacola, Florida

November 1924
Lieutenant (j.g.), for assignment, Aircraft Squadrons, Battle Fleet, USS Aroostook

January 1925
Lieutenant (j.g.), for assignment, Aircraft Squadrons, Battle Fleet, USS Aroostook

March 1925
Lieutenant (j.g.), Observation Plane Squadron 2

May 1925
Lieutenant (j.g.), Observation Plane Squadron 2

July 1925
Lieutenant (j.g.), Observation Plane Squadron 2

October 1925
Lieutenant (j.g.), Observation Plane Squadron 2

Others at this command:
January 1926
Lieutenant (j.g.), Observation Plane Squadron (VO) 2
October 1926
Lieutenant, under instruction, Naval Academy


Others at or embarked at this command:
1LT Frederick Chappelle '20 (Marine Barracks, Naval Academy)
January 1927
Lieutenant, under instruction, Naval Academy


Others at or embarked at this command:
1LT Frederick Chappelle '20 (Marine Barracks, Naval Academy)
July 1928
Lieutenant, under instruction, Navy Yard, Washington, D.C.
October 1928
Lieutenant, under instruction, Navy Yard, Washington, D.C.
January 1929
Lieutenant, under instruction, Navy Yard, Washington, D.C.
April 1929
Lieutenant, under instruction, Navy Yard, Washington, D.C.
July 1929
Lieutenant, Torpedo and Bombing Plane Squadron (VT) 1B, USS Lextingon

Others at or embarked at USS Lextingon:
LT Francis Bridget '21 (Light Bombing Plane Squadron (VB) 1B)
LTjg Jack DeShazo '25 (Light Bombing Plane Squadron (VB) 1B)
ENS Carlton Hutchins '26 (Fighting Plane Squadron (VF) 2B)
October 1929
Lieutenant, Torpedo and Bombing Plane Squadron (VT) 1B, USS Lexington

Others at this command:

Others at or embarked at USS Lexington:
LCDR Francis Maile, Jr. '15 (USS Lexington)
LT Dixie Kiefer '19 (Scouting Plane Squadron (VS) 3B)
LTjg Robert Larson '24 (Fighting Plane Squadron (VF) 3B)
LTjg William Graham, Jr. '25 (USS Lexington)
LTjg Hilan Ebert '26 (USS Lexington)
ENS William Potts '27 (USS Lexington)
ENS John Yoho '29 (USS Lexington)
January 1930
Lieutenant, Torpedo and Bombing Plane Squadron (VT) 1B, USS Lexington

Others at or embarked at USS Lexington:
LCDR Francis Maile, Jr. '15 (USS Lexington)
LT Dixie Kiefer '19 (Scouting Plane Squadron (VS) 3B)
LTjg Robert Larson '24 (Fighting Plane Squadron (VF) 3B)
LTjg William Graham, Jr. '25 (USS Lexington)
LTjg Hilan Ebert '26 (USS Lexington)
ENS William Potts '27 (USS Lexington)
ENS John Yoho '29 (USS Lexington)
April 1930
Lieutenant, Torpedo and Bombing Plane Squadron (VT) 1B, USS Lexington

Others at this command:

Others at or embarked at USS Lexington:
LCDR Francis Maile, Jr. '15 (USS Lexington)
LT Dixie Kiefer '19 (Scouting Plane Squadron (VS) 3B)
LTjg Robert Larson '24 (Fighting Plane Squadron (VF) 3B)
LTjg William Graham, Jr. '25 (USS Lexington)
LTjg Hilan Ebert '26 (USS Lexington)
ENS William Potts '27 (USS Lexington)
ENS John Yoho '29 (USS Lexington)
October 1930
Lieutenant, Torpedo and Bombing Plane Squadron (VT) 1B, USS Lexintgon

January 1931
Lieutenant, Torpedo and Bombing Plane Squadron (VT) 1B, USS Lexintgon

April 1931
Lieutenant, Torpedo and Bombing Plane Squadron (VT) 1B, USS Lexington


Others at or embarked at USS Lexington:
LT Harry Brandenburger '21 (USS Lexington)
LT James Carney '21 (Fighting Plane Squadron (VF) 2B)
LT Francis Bridget '21 (Fighting Plane Squadron (VF) 5B)
LT Edwin Crouch '21 (USS Lexington)
LTjg Hilan Ebert '26 (USS Lexington)
LTjg Richard Downer '27 (Scouting Plane Squadron (VS) 3B)
LTjg Harold Richards '27 (USS Lexington)
LTjg Eugene Lindsey '27 (Fighting Plane Squadron (VF) 5B)
ENS Baylies Clark '30 (USS Lexington)
July 1931
Lieutenant, Bureau of Ordnance, Washington, D.C.

October 1931
Lieutenant, Bureau of Ordnance, Washington, D.C.

January 1932
Lieutenant, Bureau of Ordnance, Washington, D.C.

April 1932
Lieutenant, Bureau of Ordnance, Washington, D.C.

October 1932
Lieutenant, Bureau of Ordnance, Washington, D.C.

Others at this command:
January 1933
Lieutenant, Bureau of Ordnance, Washington, D.C.

Others at this command:
April 1933
Lieutenant, Bureau of Ordnance, Washington, D.C.

Others at this command:
July 1933
Lieutenant, Bureau of Ordnance, Washington, D.C.

Others at this command:
October 1933
Lieutenant, Bureau of Ordnance, Washington, D.C.

Others at this command:
April 1934
Lieutenant, Bureau of Ordnance, Washington, D.C.

Others at this command:
July 1934
Lieutenant, staff, Aircraft Squadrons, USS Saratoga


Others at or embarked at USS Saratoga:
LT Matthias Marple, Jr. '23 (Fighting Plane Squadron (VF) 6B)
LTjg Charles McDonald '24 (Bombing Plane Squadron (VB) 2B)
LTjg Loren Morris '27 (Scouting Plane Squadron (VS) 2B)
LTjg Leonard Southerland '27 (Fighting Plane Squadron (VF) 6B)
LTjg Carl Lindgren '28 (Scouting Plane Squadron (VS) 2B)
LTjg Mathias Wyatt '29 (Fighting Plane Squadron (VF) 6B)
LTjg Charles Ostrom '30 (Scouting Plane Squadron (VS) 2B)
ENS James Murphy '31 (Torpedo Plane Squadron (VT) 2B)
ENS George Stone '31 (USS Saratoga)
ENS Bertram Prueher '33 (USS Saratoga)
ENS Paul Burton '33 (USS Saratoga)
ENS Robert Fair '33 (USS Saratoga)
ENS Wendell Froling '34 (USS Saratoga)
October 1934
Lieutenant, staff, Aircraft Squadrons, USS Saratoga


Others at or embarked at USS Saratoga:
LT John Jones '21 (USS Saratoga)
LT Matthias Marple, Jr. '23 (Fighting Plane Squadron (VF) 6B)
LT Charles McDonald '24 (Bombing Plane Squadron (VB) 2B)
LTjg Loren Morris '27 (Scouting Plane Squadron (VS) 2B)
LTjg Leonard Southerland '27 (Fighting Plane Squadron (VF) 6B)
LTjg Carl Lindgren '28 (Scouting Plane Squadron (VS) 2B)
LTjg Mathias Wyatt '29 (Fighting Plane Squadron (VF) 6B)
LTjg Bruce Van Voorhis '29 (Bombing Plane Squadron (VB) 2B)
LTjg Charles Ostrom '30 (Scouting Plane Squadron (VS) 2B)
LTjg Charles Palmer, Sr. '31 (Bombing Plane Squadron (VB) 2B)
LTjg James Murphy '31 (Torpedo Plane Squadron (VT) 2B)
ENS George Stone '31 (USS Saratoga)
ENS Albert Gates, Jr. '32 (USS Saratoga)
ENS Bertram Prueher '33 (USS Saratoga)
ENS Paul Burton '33 (USS Saratoga)
ENS Robert Fair '33 (USS Saratoga)
ENS Wendell Froling '34 (USS Saratoga)
January 1935
Lieutenant, staff, Aircraft Squadrons, USS Saratoga


Others at or embarked at USS Saratoga:
LT John Jones '21 (USS Saratoga)
LT Matthias Marple, Jr. '23 (Fighting Plane Squadron (VF) 6B)
LT Charles McDonald '24 (Bombing Plane Squadron (VB) 2B)
LTjg Loren Morris '27 (Scouting Plane Squadron (VS) 2B)
LTjg Leonard Southerland '27 (Fighting Plane Squadron (VF) 6B)
LTjg Carl Lindgren '28 (Scouting Plane Squadron (VS) 2B)
LTjg Mathias Wyatt '29 (Fighting Plane Squadron (VF) 6B)
LTjg Bruce Van Voorhis '29 (Bombing Plane Squadron (VB) 2B)
LTjg Charles Ostrom '30 (Scouting Plane Squadron (VS) 2B)
LTjg Charles Palmer, Sr. '31 (Bombing Plane Squadron (VB) 2B)
LTjg James Murphy '31 (Torpedo Plane Squadron (VT) 2B)
LTjg George Stone '31 (USS Saratoga)
ENS Albert Gates, Jr. '32 (USS Saratoga)
ENS Bertram Prueher '33 (USS Saratoga)
ENS Paul Burton '33 (USS Saratoga)
ENS Robert Fair '33 (USS Saratoga)
ENS Wendell Froling '34 (USS Saratoga)
April 1935
Lieutenant, staff, Aircraft Squadrons, USS Saratoga


Others at or embarked at USS Saratoga:
LT John Jones '21 (USS Saratoga)
LT Matthias Marple, Jr. '23 (Fighting Plane Squadron (VF) 6B)
LT Charles McDonald '24 (Bombing Plane Squadron (VB) 2B)
LTjg Loren Morris '27 (Scouting Plane Squadron (VS) 2B)
LTjg Leonard Southerland '27 (Fighting Plane Squadron (VF) 6B)
LTjg Mathias Wyatt '29 (Fighting Plane Squadron (VF) 6B)
LTjg Bruce Van Voorhis '29 (Bombing Plane Squadron (VB) 2B)
LTjg Charles Ostrom '30 (Scouting Plane Squadron (VS) 2B)
LTjg Charles Palmer, Sr. '31 (Bombing Plane Squadron (VB) 2B)
LTjg Ford Wallace '31 (Fighting Plane Squadron (VF) 6B)
LTjg James Murphy '31 (Torpedo Plane Squadron (VT) 2B)
LTjg Edward Blessman '31 (Scouting Plane Squadron (VS) 2B)
ENS Albert Gates, Jr. '32 (USS Saratoga)
ENS Bertram Prueher '33 (USS Saratoga)
ENS Paul Burton '33 (USS Saratoga)
ENS Wendell Froling '34 (USS Saratoga)
October 1935
Lieutenant, staff, Aircraft Squadrons, USS Saratoga


Others at or embarked at USS Saratoga:
LT John Gillon '20 (Scouting Plane Squadron (VS) 2B)
LT Charles McDonald '24 (Bombing Plane Squadron (VB) 2B)
LTjg Charles Signer '26 (Fighting Plane Squadron (VF) 6B)
LTjg Ralph Smith '26 (USS Saratoga)
LTjg Elmer Cooper '27 (Bombing Plane Squadron (VB) 2B)
LTjg Loren Morris '27 (Scouting Plane Squadron (VS) 2B)
LTjg Leonard Southerland '27 (Fighting Plane Squadron (VF) 6B)
LTjg Oliver White '30 (Scouting Plane Squadron (VS) 2B)
LTjg Ford Wallace '31 (Fighting Plane Squadron (VF) 6B)
LTjg James Murphy '31 (Torpedo Plane Squadron (VT) 2B)
LTjg Thomas Ashworth, Jr. '31 (Fighting Plane Squadron (VF) 6B)
LTjg Edward Blessman '31 (Scouting Plane Squadron (VS) 2B)
LTjg Alfred Tucker, III '31 (USS Saratoga)
LTjg Albert Gates, Jr. '32 (USS Saratoga)
ENS Paul Burton '33 (USS Saratoga)
ENS Wendell Froling '34 (USS Saratoga)
ENS Maurice Fitzgerald '35 (USS Saratoga)
January 1936
Lieutenant, staff, Aircraft Squadrons, USS Saratoga


Others at or embarked at USS Saratoga:
LCDR John Gillon '20 (Scouting Plane Squadron (VS) 2B)
LT Charles McDonald '24 (Bombing Plane Squadron (VB) 2B)
LT Richard Moss '24 (Bombing Plane Squadron (VB) 2B)
LTjg Charles Signer '26 (Fighting Plane Squadron (VF) 6B)
LTjg Elmer Cooper '27 (Bombing Plane Squadron (VB) 2B)
LTjg Loren Morris '27 (Scouting Plane Squadron (VS) 2B)
LTjg Leonard Southerland '27 (Fighting Plane Squadron (VF) 6B)
LTjg Oliver White '30 (Scouting Plane Squadron (VS) 2B)
LTjg Ford Wallace '31 (Fighting Plane Squadron (VF) 6B)
LTjg James Murphy '31 (Torpedo Plane Squadron (VT) 2B)
LTjg Thomas Ashworth, Jr. '31 (Fighting Plane Squadron (VF) 6B)
LTjg Edward Blessman '31 (Scouting Plane Squadron (VS) 2B)
LTjg Albert Gates, Jr. '32 (USS Saratoga)
LTjg Edwin Hurst '32 (Bombing Plane Squadron (VB) 2B)
ENS Wendell Froling '34 (USS Saratoga)
ENS Maurice Fitzgerald '35 (USS Saratoga)
April 1936
Lieutenant, staff, Aircraft Squadrons, USS Saratoga


Others at or embarked at USS Saratoga:
LCDR John Gillon '20 (Scouting Plane Squadron (VS) 2B)
LT Charles McDonald '24 (Bombing Plane Squadron (VB) 2B)
LT Richard Moss '24 (Bombing Plane Squadron (VB) 2B)
LTjg Charles Signer '26 (Fighting Plane Squadron (VF) 6B)
LTjg Elmer Cooper '27 (Bombing Plane Squadron (VB) 2B)
LTjg Loren Morris '27 (Scouting Plane Squadron (VS) 2B)
LTjg Leonard Southerland '27 (Fighting Plane Squadron (VF) 6B)
LTjg Ford Wallace '31 (Fighting Plane Squadron (VF) 6B)
LTjg James Murphy '31 (Torpedo Plane Squadron (VT) 2B)
LTjg Thomas Ashworth, Jr. '31 (Fighting Plane Squadron (VF) 6B)
LTjg Edward Blessman '31 (Scouting Plane Squadron (VS) 2B)
LTjg Albert Gates, Jr. '32 (USS Saratoga)
LTjg Edwin Hurst '32 (Bombing Plane Squadron (VB) 2B)
ENS Wendell Froling '34 (USS Saratoga)
ENS Maurice Fitzgerald '35 (USS Saratoga)
July 1936
Lieutenant, Patrol Plane Squadron (VP) 7F
January 1937
Lieutenant Commander, executive officer, Patrol Plane Squadron (VP) 7F
April 1937
Lieutenant Commander, executive officer, Patrol Plane Squadron (VP) 7F
September 1937
Lieutenant Commander, commanding officer, Training Squadron (VN) 4D8, Naval Air Station Pensacola, Florida

Others at or embarked at Naval Air Station Pensacola, Florida:
LT Richard Moss '24 (Naval Air Station Pensacola, Florida)
CAPT Ernest Pollock '28 (Training Squadron (VN) 2D8)
LT William Pennewill '29 (Training Squadron (VN) 1D8)
LTjg Claud Hughes '30 (Training Squadron (VN) 2D8)
CAPT Paul Moret '30 (Naval Air Station Pensacola, Florida)
LTjg Samuel Dealey '30 (Naval Air Station Pensacola, Florida)
LTjg Alden Irons '31 (Training Squadron (VN) 2D8)
1LT Harold Larson '31 (Naval Air Station Pensacola, Florida)
LTjg Albert Gray '31 (Naval Air Station Pensacola, Florida)
LTjg Charles Crommelin '31 (Naval Air Station Pensacola, Florida)
LTjg John Spiers '32 (Naval Air Station Pensacola, Florida)
LTjg John Phillips, Jr. '33 (Naval Air Station Pensacola, Florida)
LTjg Robert Isely '33 (Naval Air Station Pensacola, Florida)
ENS Herbert Carroll, Jr. '34 (Naval Air Station Pensacola, Florida)
LTjg Walker Ethridge '34 (Naval Air Station Pensacola, Florida)
LTjg Frank Whitaker '34 (Naval Air Station Pensacola, Florida)
LTjg William Drumtra '34 (Naval Air Station Pensacola, Florida)
LTjg Edward Worthington '34 (Naval Air Station Pensacola, Florida)
LTjg Stuart Stephens '34 (Naval Air Station Pensacola, Florida)
LTjg Philip Torrey, Jr. '34 (Naval Air Station Pensacola, Florida)
LTjg George Nicol '34 (Naval Air Station Pensacola, Florida)
ENS Ralph Beacham '35 (Naval Air Station Pensacola, Florida)
ENS David Taylor, Jr. '35 (Naval Air Station Pensacola, Florida)
ENS Mark Eslick, Jr. '35 (Naval Air Station Pensacola, Florida)
ENS Frederick Schrader '35 (Naval Air Station Pensacola, Florida)
ENS Richard McGowan '35 (Naval Air Station Pensacola, Florida)
ENS Stanley Lipski '35 (Naval Air Station Pensacola, Florida)
January 1938
Lieutenant Commander, commanding officer, Training Squadron (VN) 4D8, Naval Air Station Pensacola, Florida

Others at or embarked at Naval Air Station Pensacola, Florida:
LT Richard Moss '24 (Naval Air Station Pensacola, Florida)
CAPT Ernest Pollock '28 (Training Squadron (VN) 2D8)
LT William Pennewill '29 (Training Squadron (VN) 1D8)
CAPT Paul Moret '30 (Naval Air Station Pensacola, Florida)
LTjg Samuel Dealey '30 (Naval Air Station Pensacola, Florida)
LTjg Alden Irons '31 (Training Squadron (VN) 2D8)
1LT Harold Larson '31 (Naval Air Station Pensacola, Florida)
LTjg Albert Gray '31 (Naval Air Station Pensacola, Florida)
LTjg Charles Crommelin '31 (Naval Air Station Pensacola, Florida)
LTjg John Spiers '32 (Naval Air Station Pensacola, Florida)
LTjg John Phillips, Jr. '33 (Naval Air Station Pensacola, Florida)
LTjg Robert Isely '33 (Naval Air Station Pensacola, Florida)
ENS Glenn Dunagan '33 (Naval Air Station Pensacola, Florida)
LTjg Herbert Carroll, Jr. '34 (Naval Air Station Pensacola, Florida)
LTjg Walker Ethridge '34 (Naval Air Station Pensacola, Florida)
LTjg Frank Whitaker '34 (Naval Air Station Pensacola, Florida)
LTjg William Drumtra '34 (Naval Air Station Pensacola, Florida)
LTjg Edward Worthington '34 (Naval Air Station Pensacola, Florida)
LTjg Stuart Stephens '34 (Naval Air Station Pensacola, Florida)
LTjg Philip Torrey, Jr. '34 (Naval Air Station Pensacola, Florida)
LTjg George Nicol '34 (Naval Air Station Pensacola, Florida)
ENS Norman Ostergren '35 (Naval Air Station Pensacola, Florida)
ENS Thomas Cummins '35 (Naval Air Station Pensacola, Florida)
ENS Samuel Adams '35 (Naval Air Station Pensacola, Florida)
ENS Richard Stephenson '35 (Naval Air Station Pensacola, Florida)
ENS Ralph Beacham '35 (Naval Air Station Pensacola, Florida)
ENS David Taylor, Jr. '35 (Naval Air Station Pensacola, Florida)
ENS Frederick Schrader '35 (Naval Air Station Pensacola, Florida)
ENS Richard McGowan '35 (Naval Air Station Pensacola, Florida)
ENS Clyde McCroskey, Jr. '35 (Naval Air Station Pensacola, Florida)
July 1938
Lieutenant Commander, commanding officer, Training Squadron (VN) 4D8, Naval Air Station Pensacola, Florida

Others at or embarked at Naval Air Station Pensacola, Florida:
LT Richard Moss '24 (Naval Air Station Pensacola, Florida)
LT Renwick Calderhead '27 (Naval Air Station Pensacola, Florida)
CAPT Paul Moret '30 (Training Squadron (VN) 3D8)
LTjg Samuel Dealey '30 (Naval Air Station Pensacola, Florida)
LTjg Alden Irons '31 (Training Squadron (VN) 5D8)
LTjg John Huntley '31 (Naval Air Station Pensacola, Florida)
LTjg Albert Gray '31 (Naval Air Station Pensacola, Florida)
LTjg George Ottinger '32 (Naval Air Station Pensacola, Florida)
LTjg William Widhelm '32 (Naval Air Station Pensacola, Florida)
ENS Glenn Dunagan '33 (Naval Air Station Pensacola, Florida)
ENS Norman Ostergren '35 (Naval Air Station Pensacola, Florida)
ENS Thomas Cummins '35 (Naval Air Station Pensacola, Florida)
ENS Samuel Adams '35 (Naval Air Station Pensacola, Florida)
LTjg Arthur Ely '35 (Naval Air Station Pensacola, Florida)
ENS Irving McCann, Jr. '35 (Naval Air Station Pensacola, Florida)
LTjg James Fitzpatrick, Jr. '35 (Naval Air Station Pensacola, Florida)
LTjg John Ennis '35 (Naval Air Station Pensacola, Florida)
LTjg Ralph Beacham '35 (Naval Air Station Pensacola, Florida)
LTjg John Curtis '35 (Naval Air Station Pensacola, Florida)
ENS Richard McGowan '35 (Naval Air Station Pensacola, Florida)
LTjg Gordon Schecter '35 (Naval Air Station Pensacola, Florida)
LTjg Hubert Harden '35 (Naval Air Station Pensacola, Florida)
ENS Clyde McCroskey, Jr. '35 (Naval Air Station Pensacola, Florida)
ENS Joseph Evans '36 (Naval Air Station Pensacola, Florida)
ENS Richard Bull, Jr. '36 (Naval Air Station Pensacola, Florida)
ENS Jack Moore '36 (Naval Air Station Pensacola, Florida)
2LT Ralph Haas '36 (Marine Barracks)
ENS Raymond Vogel, Jr. '36 (Naval Air Station Pensacola, Florida)
January 1939
Lieutenant Commander, commanding officer, Training Squadron (VN) 2D8, Naval Air Station Pensacola, Florida

Others at or embarked at Naval Air Station Pensacola, Florida:
LT Richard Moss '24 (Naval Air Station Pensacola, Florida)
LT Renwick Calderhead '27 (Naval Air Station Pensacola, Florida)
CAPT Paul Moret '30 (Training Squadron (VN) 3D8)
LT Samuel Dealey '30 (Naval Air Station Pensacola, Florida)
LT Alden Irons '31 (Training Squadron (VN) 3D8)
LTjg John Huntley '31 (Naval Air Station Pensacola, Florida)
LTjg Albert Gray '31 (Naval Air Station Pensacola, Florida)
LTjg George Ottinger '32 (Training Squadron (VN) 5D8)
LTjg William Widhelm '32 (Training Squadron (VN) 5D8)
LTjg William Thorn '32 (Naval Air Station Pensacola, Florida)
LTjg Glenn Dunagan '33 (Naval Air Station Pensacola, Florida)
LTjg Norman Ostergren '35 (Naval Air Station Pensacola, Florida)
LTjg Thomas Cummins '35 (Naval Air Station Pensacola, Florida)
LTjg Samuel Adams '35 (Naval Air Station Pensacola, Florida)
LTjg Arthur Ely '35 (Naval Air Station Pensacola, Florida)
LTjg James Fitzpatrick, Jr. '35 (Naval Air Station Pensacola, Florida)
LTjg John Ennis '35 (Naval Air Station Pensacola, Florida)
LTjg John Curtis '35 (Naval Air Station Pensacola, Florida)
LTjg Gordon Schecter '35 (Naval Air Station Pensacola, Florida)
LTjg Hubert Harden '35 (Naval Air Station Pensacola, Florida)
LTjg Clyde McCroskey, Jr. '35 (Naval Air Station Pensacola, Florida)
ENS Joseph Evans '36 (Naval Air Station Pensacola, Florida)
ENS Richard Bull, Jr. '36 (Naval Air Station Pensacola, Florida)
ENS Jack Moore '36 (Naval Air Station Pensacola, Florida)
2LT Ralph Haas '36 (Marine Barracks)
ENS Raymond Vogel, Jr. '36 (Naval Air Station Pensacola, Florida)
October 1939
Lieutenant Commander, Patrol Squadron (VP) 54, Norfolk, Virginia

June 1940
Lieutenant Commander, commanding officer, Patrol Squadron (VP) 54, Norfolk, Virginia

November 1940
Commander, commanding officer, Patrol Squadron (VP) 54, Norfolk, Virginia

April 1941
Commander, commanding officer, Patrol Squadron (VP) 54, Norfolk, Virginia

Namesakes

USS Arnold J. Isbell (DD 869) was named for Arnold; the ship was sponsored by his widow.

The Captain Arnold Jay Isbell Trophy is named for Arnold; it is awarded to the squadron that best demonstrates outstanding performance in anti-submarine warfare.


Class of 1921

Arnold is one of 32 members of the Class of 1921 on Virtual Memorial Hall.

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