The Fleet Air Photo Group Two was a Naval Aerial Photographic Reconnaissance Group stationed on Guam. It used B-24 Liberators and F6F Hellcats manned by Naval Personnel. Their Photographic Mission Assignments were under the Direction of CinCPac. Air Fleet Photo Group Two, maintained their own operational base area which contained their Photographic Processing Laboratory, Aircraft Maintenance and Revetment Areas, living quarters, Post Exchange, Mess Hall, Sick Bay, Outdoor Movie Theater, etc. A detachment of Marine Personnel from VMD-354 was sent to Air Fleet Photo Group Two to assist in the operation of their photographic processing laboratory. The Photo Group Two Laboratory operated on a three shift, around-the-clock, schedule. The VMD-354 Marine detachment consisted of one officer, 1st.Lt. Harry P. LaGesse and 17 enlisted personnel led by MT/Sgt. Oliver H. Crawford. They were assigned to the operation of one of the three shifts. The shifts assignments were rotated among the three operating groups. All of the photo lab personnel, both the Marines and the Sailors were trained at the Naval School of Photography at Pensacola, Florida. While both groups worked well together, there was some innocent interservice rivalry. It should be noted that before joining VMD-354, 1st Lt. Harry LaGesse had seen combat duty in New Caledonia. He was a Marine Corporal manning a 90mm AA gun on the isle of Nou* located in the harbor of Noumea, the capital of New Caledonia. He was recognizes by his C.O. for his performance and leadership and was offered a promotion to the rank of 2nd Lt. Corp. LaGesse refused the promotion for personal reasons. When he returned to the United States he was admitted to the Officer Candidate School at Quantico, VA. Upon graduation from Officers Candidate School, he attended the Naval School of Photography at Pensacola, FLorida. He was then assigned to VMD-354 at MCAS, Cherry Point, NC. The VMD detachment remained with Photo Group Two until all of the Photo Reconnaissance flight operations were suspended following the end of hostilities. *The island of Nou was originally a Penal Colony. Its name was changed to Nouville and is connected by bridge to the Capital city, Noumea. Photo Group Two-Pictorial