History: Blue Fins and Martin Marauder WW2

This is a bit of oral history from Richard (Dick) Ainsworth who helped in the pioneering of skin diving in California with a group called "The Blue Fins" (also a social club based out of Laguna Beach, CA). He was also a co-pilot in a Martin Marauder flying 62 missions over Europe.

Bill Panzic, "Fireman Earl," Gordon "Lope" Lopez, Norm and Beverly Allen, Dale "Matt" Matlock, Harry Dean, Richard (radio man), Dick Gunn, Norm, Corky, "Big Tom," Ray Musgrove, Lloyd Collins, Mort (All?), Butch, Roberta Lopez, (Norm and Bev), Daryl Booth.

That last picture was taken in 1935 or 36.

Bill Panzic is in his 80's and still diving.

This was filmed shortly after New Years 2007 in Lompoc, CA. Dick was 88 years old.

Gordon Lopez is the grandson(?) of the Lopez who discovered gold in Little Placerita in the Valencia/New Hall area while looking for wild onions to add to his supper, setting off a minor gold rush in So Cal.

Category:

People & Blogs

Tags:

• history
• blue
• fins
• diving
• skin
• dive
• california
• martin
• marauder
• bomber
• ww2
• wwii

[miho42100]

Thank you for posting this! Gordon Lopez's granddaughter Audrey is writing an essay for Veteran's Day and it was great for her to be able to see this.

[skyanimal]

@miho42100 You are welcome.

[speernfish]

Great video of one of the great generation. hang on to it.