The following narrative was received from PHCM Merle B. Massie (phcmret@capecod,net) and is provided here for the benefit of all.

Back when it started I was on shore duty (VAH-3, TAD to Bill Shepard's NAS, Photo Lab) as a PHCA (P2). I was the first PH involved with the RA-5C. Near the end of my tour with Heavy 3, I, and a PH1, were "selected" as part of 2 "teams" to go to the Columbus, OH, North American plant for training on the still classified RA-5C. We were there for about 5 or 6 weeks prior to the acceptance of the first 2 planes. By the time we returned to Sanford, Heavy 3 had started to load up on PHs. Lt. Bill Juby (Photo LDO) was in charge of RA-5C photo training along with PHCM Bodine.

With my shore duty over, I was transferred to RVAH-7 (I think it was 7 ?? This was a "holding" squadron for training and re-assignment of PHs.) We had so many PHs that I served as night check QC chief. (The day crew never did a dam thing - just ask the night check crew!)

By then the USS America (CVA-66) was ready for commissioning and the ship’s IOIC crew was in Sanford for training. I went through the classes with them and eventually was assigned to the America's IOIC in time for the commissioning. I was advanced to PHCS while in IOIC school. I spent 2 years aboard - sea trials - shakedowns - and a 9-month (great) Med cruise. Gone 9 months 34 days at sea - hit every port in the Med. (No one was shooting at each other back then.) Heavy 5, with the one and only Lt. "Red" Hagerty (this man KNEW photography!) was on board for the cruise. Heavy 5 had 25 or so PHs - Lt. Riley and PHC (later WO1) John Reimer had about that many in the ship's photo lab - the PHs were well represented.