VA-155 |
Point of Contact = Squadron Duty Officer (SDO).
|
VT-153 "Gremlin" - 1946 |
VA-16A 1946-1948 |
Patches needed for: VA-155 1948-1949 VA-71E 1946-1948 VA-58A 1948-1949 VC-722 1949-1950 |
VA-728 1950-1953 |
VA-728 Red Lightning |
VA-155 Red Busters - 1953 |
VA-155 - 1953 |
"Mushroom Shaped Cloud" - 1958 Patch created by Hank "Soloman" Bowman |
"Skull and Cobra" - 1959 Gary Wright |
VA-155 Yankee Air Pirates |
VA-155 Silver Foxes - 1987 |
Patch February 11, 1946, Torpedo Squadron ONE HUNDRED FIFTY-THREE adopted the "Gremlin Riding a Torpedo" patch displayed above. June 12, 1947, after VT-153 was redesignated VA-16A, a new "Two Turkey" patch was adopted. The patch had a yellow sky and light green ocean background and blue TBFs, The crest had yellow lettering, red was used for the rockets, lightning bolts, and the mouth and eyes of the TBFs, the radome was light green. The cloud and hands of the TBFs were white; all other details were black. February 18, 1949, VA-155 adopted the "Skull and Cobra" patch. The insignia had a red background, white skull, and yellow cobra. September 23, 1952, VA-71E adopted a "Lightening Flash" patch. The crest had a silver-gray disk with a red border; a yellow-winged white and red lightening flash in front of a black cloud. February 4, 1953, VA-155 adopted the "Skull and Cobra" patch. 1957 --- The VA-155 unofficial "Mushroom Shaped Cloud" patch (shown above) was designed by VA-155 ground-pounder Hank "Soloman" Bowman. This occurred while VA-155 was flying the Douglas Skyraider in the orient. The "Mushroom Shaped Cloud" crest was used by squadron personnel on jackets and other items such as cigarette lighters. Information from "Rico." July 8, 1959, VA-155 modified the "Skull and Cobra" patch with the addition of two diagonal green stripes. The patch had a red background outlined in green, the scroll was white outlined in green with black lettering. The cobra's upper body was a salmon color with black lines, its head was green with white eyes and black pupils, the coiled part of the snake was greenish black. Before 1965 VA-155 personnel wore an unofficial "Fox Head" patch. The "Fox Head" logo was incorporated in the 1966 Combat Centurion" patch. During the Vietnam war squadron pilots wore an unofficial "Combat Centurion" patch. 1966 example is displayed above. July 24, 1987 and after reestablishment VA-155 adopted the "Silver Fox" patch. Displayed above. |
Sources David Weber Hank Bowman Tom Federico Harry S. Gann Masaaki Hayakawa Takafumi Hiroe Al Hyde Jim Ritchie Gary Wright Jerry McCleskey |
Handle
1945 - ? Gremlins 1960 - 1993 Silver Fox (rumor had it that C.O. John Smith had a full head of silver hair, and thus the "silver foxes".) Heritage March 26, 1945, Torpedo Squadron ONE HUNDRED FIFTY-THREE (VT-153) established. November 15, 1946, VT-153 redesignated as Attack Squadron SIXTEEN A (VA-16A). July 15, 1948, VA-16A redesignated as Attack Squadron ONE HUNDRED FIFTY-FIVE (VA-155). November 30, 1949, VA-155 disestablished. 1946, Reserve Attack Squadron SEVENTY-ONE E (VA-71E) established. October 1, 1948, VA-71E redesignated Reserve Attack Squadron FIFTY-EIGHT A (VA-58A). November 1, 1949, VA-58A redesignated Reserve Composite Squadron SEVEN HUNDRED TWENTY-TWO (VC-722). April 1, 1950, VC-722, redesignated Reserve Attack Squadron SEVEN HUNDRED TWENTY-EIGHT (VA-728). February 1, 1951, VA-728 called to active duty as Attack Squadron SEVEN HUNDRED TWENTY-EIGHT (VA-728). February 4, 1953, VA-728 re-designated Attack Squadron ONE HUNDRED FIFTY-FIVE (VA-155). September 30, 1977, Attack Squadron ONE HUNDRED FIFTY-FIVE disestablished. September 1, 1987 Attack Squadron ONE HUNDRED FIFTY-FIVE (VA-155) reestablished. April 30, 1993, Attack Squadron ONE HUNDRED FIFTY-FIVE disestablished. Note: There are three time periods a VA-155 squadron appeared. The root squadron VA-71E (established 1946) of the second VA-155 occurred before the first VA-155 was disestablished in 1949. |
Home Ports
Date - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Location: March 26 1945 - - - - - - Naval Auxiliary Air Facility Lewiston June 1, 1945- - - - - - - Naval Air Station Oceana July 2, 1946- - - - - - - Naval Air Station Norfolk August 8, 1946- - - - - - Naval Air Station Alameda 1946- - - - - - - - - - - Naval Air Station Glenview 1951- - - - - - - - - - - Naval Air Station Alameda May 1952- - - - - - - - - Naval Auxiliary Landing Field Santa Rosa * August 25, 1952 - - - - - Naval Air Station Moffett Field August 21 1961- - - - - - Naval Air Station Lemoore September 1, 1987 - - - - Naval Air Station Whidbey Island * Following the Korea combat tour temporary base for training and reforming. |
Aircraft
March 30, 1945 - - - - - - - - - TBM-3E Grumman Avenger April 1946 - - - - - - - - - - - North American SNJ Trainer April 1946 - - - - - - - - - - - TBM-3Q Grumman Avenger April 1947 - - - - - - - - - - - TBM-3W Grumman Avenger July 19, 1949- - - - - - - - - - AD-2/4 Douglas Skyraider 1951 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Martin AM-1 Mauler * 1951 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Curtiss SB2C-1 Helldiver * July 26, 1952- - - - - - - - - - AD-4NA/6/7 Douglas Skyraider ** October 8, 1958- - - - - - - - - Douglas A4D-2 (A-4B) Skyhawk ** December 1963- - - - - - - - - - Douglas A4D-5 (A-4E) Skyhawk ** April 10, 1968 - - - - - - - - - Douglas A-4F Skyhawk April 23, 1968 - - - - - - - - - Douglas TA-4F Skyhawk September 29, 1969 - - - - - - - A-7B Vought Corsair II November 16, 1987- - - - - - - - Grumman KA-6D/A-6E Intruder * During the squadron's Reserve duty between 1946 and its activation in February 1951, it flew SB2Cs, TBMs and AMs. ** November 30, 1962 The AD-6 designation was changed to A-1H The A4D-2 designation was changed to A-4B The A4D-5 designation was changed to A-4E For A-4 Skyhawk aircraft assigned to this unit see lower in this page: |
Air Wings
March 26, 1945 - - - - - B/A †- - - - CVG-153/CVAG-15/CVG-15 ** April 1, 1951- - - - - - H/NL*- - - - CVG-15/CVW-15 †† April 1968 - - - - - - - - AH - - - - CVW-16 September 12, 1968 - - - - NE - - - - CVW-2 June 24, 1969 - - - - - - - - - - - - CVW-12‡ November 22, 1969- - - - - NM - - - - CVW-19 December 1, 1987 - - - - - NM - - - - CVW-10 May 1, 1988- - - - - - - - AA - - - - CVW-17 October 1, 1989- - - - - - NE - - - - CVW-2 * CVG-153 was redesignated CVAG-15 November 15, 1946. CVAG-15 was re-designated CVG-15 September 1, 1948. † December 12, 1946 CVAG-15 was assigned the tail code "B". On August 4, 1948 the tail code "B" was changed to "A". ** July 1, 1957 the tail code was changed from "H" to "NL". †† December 20, 1963 CVG-15 was re-designated CVW-15 as Carrier Air Groups (CVG) were re-designated Carrier Air Wings (CVW). ‡ When the squadron was assigned to CVW-12, it operated under the control of VA-122 while undergoing training for the transition to the A-7 Corsair II |
Deployments
03-31-47 to 10-08-47 - CVAG-15 - CV 36 - TBM-3E/3Q/3W - WestPac 09-08-51 to 05-02-52 - CVG-15 - CV 36- - AD-4/L/Q & AD-2 - Korea 01-24-53 to 09-21-53 - CVG-15 - CVA 37 - AD-4NA - Korea/WestPac 07-01-54 to 02-28-55 - CVG-15 - CVA 10 - AD-6 - WestPac 04-23-56 to 10-15-56 - CVG-15 - CVA 18 - AD-6 - WestPac 02-15-58 to 10-02-58 - CVG-15 - CVA 19 - AD-7 - WestPac 08-01-59 to 01-18-60 - CVG-15 - CVA 19 - A4D-2 - WestPac 09-19-60 to 05-27-61 - CVG-15 - CVA 43 - A4D-2 - WestPac 12-12-61 to 07-17-62 - CVG-15 - CVA 43 - A4D-2 - WestPac 04-03-63 to 11-25-63 - CVG-15 - CVA 43 - A-4B - WestPac 12-07-64 to 11-01-65 - CVW-15 - CVA 43 - A-4E - WestPac/Vietnam 05-12-66 to 12-03-66 - CVW-15 - CVA 64 - A-4E - WestPac/Vietnam 07-26-67 to 04-06-68 - CVW-15 - CVA 43 - A-4E - WestPac/Vietnam 10-26-68 to 05-17-69 - CVW-2- - CVA 61 - A-4F - WestPac/Vietnam 05-14-70 to 12-10-70 - CVW-19 - CVA 34 - A-7B - WestPac/Vietnam 05-14-71 to 12-18-71 - CVW-19 - CVA 34 - A-7B - WestPac/Vietnam 06-05-72 to 03-30-73 - CVW-19 - CVA 34 - A-7B - WestPac/Vietnam 10-18-73 to 06-05-74 - CVW-19 - CVA 34 - A-7B - WestPac/IO 09-16-75 to 03-03-76 - CVW-19 - CV 34- - A-7B - WestPac 19-04-76 to 04-21-77 - CVW-19 - CV 42- - A-7B - Mediterranean 12-08-90 to 06-09-91 - CVW-2 - CV 61 - A-6E - WestPac/IO/ Persian Gulf 08-01-92 to 01-31-93 - CVW-2 - CV 61 - A-6E - WestPac/IO/ Persian Gulf. |
Commanding Officers
Date Assumed Command - - - - - - - Commanding Officer January 10, 1942 - - - - LT Wallace A. Sherrill March 26, 1945 - - - - - LT Harlan C. McFadden, Jr. (acting) April 6, 1945- - - - - - LCDR Frederick G. Lewis June 26, 1946- - - - - - LCDR Richard D. King (acting) July 3, 1946 - - - - - - LCDR Gaylord T. Forrest January 10, 1948 - - - - LCDR Gerald R. Stablein January 1949 - - - - - - LCDR Donald L. Ely August 29, 1946- - - - - LCDR Soule T. Bitting May 1952 - - - - - - - - LCDR B. K. Harrison (acting) August 8, 1952 - - - - - LCDR Raymond S. Osterhoudt October 1953 - - - - - - LCDR Frank R. West March 21, 1955 - - - - - LCDR Jack B. Jones December 10, 1956- - - - CDR Henry E. Clark October 29, 1958 - - - - CDR Deforest Q. Joralmon February 1960- - - - - - CDR Robert E. McElwee August 4, 1961 - - - - - CDR Ira K. Kruger July 31, 1962- - - - - - CDR Patrick F. Cunningham June 27, 1963- - - - - - CDR T. B. Russell, Jr. July 17, 1964- - - - - - CDR J. H. Harris 1965 - - - - - - - - - - CDR J. B. Morin 1966 - - - - - - - - - - CDR Charles H. Peters July 11, 1966- - - - - - CDR E. W. Ingley June 1967- - - - - - - - CDR William H. Searfus December 1967- - - - - - CDR David J. Sperling December 7, 1968 - - - - CDR Robert F. Reynolds, Jr. October 24, 1969 - - - - CDR Edwin C. Adamson, Jr. August 28, 1970- - - - - CDR James H. Mauldin 1971 - - - - - - - - - - CDR Markley R. Seibert June 2, 1972 - - - - - - CDR Dean E. Cramer June 7, 1973 - - - - - - CDR Robert L. Leuschner, Jr. July 17, 1974- - - - - - CDR Larry E. Kaufman October 24, 1975 - - - - CDR Robert D. Miller January 5, 1977- - - - - CDR Robert C. Kaup September 1, 1987- - - - CDR Jack J. Samar January 12, 1989 - - - - CDR Kenneth R. Zimmerman June 29, 1990- - - - - - CDR Frank Sweigart September 12, 1991 - - - CDR Larry J. Munns |
Awards Korea Service Medal 04 Oct 1951 to 15 Apr 1952 27 Feb 1953 to 16 May 1953 29 May 1953 to 07 Sep 1953 Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal 26 Aug 1958 to 07 Sep 1958 14 Sep 1959 to 17 Sep 1959 25 Apr 1961 to 28 Apr 1961 30 Apr 1961 to 01 May 1961 04 May 1961 to 09 May 1961 12 Jan 1962 to 19 Jan 1962 24 Jan 1962 to 27 Jan 1962 02 Feb 1965 to 05 Mar 1965 16 Mar 1965 to 17 Apr 1965 02 May 1965 to 28 May 1965 23 Jun 1965 to 03 Jul 1965 23 Jan 1968 to 22 Mar 1968 20 Mar 1969 to 22 Mar 1969 20 Apr 1969 to 27 Apr 1969 Navy Unit Commendation 13 Mar 1953 to 15 May 1953 11 Jun 1953 to 27 Jul 1953 07 Feb 1965 to 18 Oct 1965 29 May 1966 to 24 Nov 1966 13 Aug 1967 to 19 Feb 1968 29 Nov 1968 to 10 May 1969 17 Jan 1991 to 07 Feb 1991 Military Unit Commendation 01 Jun 1970 to 09 Dec 1970 28 Jun 1972 to 06 Mar 1973 04 Sep 1987 to 03 Sep 1988 Republic of Vietnam Cross of Gallantry 12 Oct 1965 21 Jun 1966 to 22 Jun 1966 23 Nov 1967 02 Dec 1967 04 Dec 1967 20 Dec 1967 to 22 Dec 1967 20 Jan 1968 23 Jan 1968 to 27 Jan 1968 29 Jan 1968 to 19 Feb 1968 07 Jan 1969 to 30 Jan 1969 15 Feb 1969 to 16 Mar 1969 04 Apr 1969 to 14 Apr 1969 |
Vietnam Service Medal 04 Jul 1965 to 24 Jul 1965 11 Aug 1965 to 11 Sep 1965 21 Sep 1965 to 15 Oct 1965 14 Jun 1966 to 13 Jul 1966 27 Jul 1966 to 31 Aug 1966 08 Sep 1966 to 01 Oct 1966 19 Oct 1966 to 09 Nov 1966 26 Aug 1967 to 01 Oct 1967 12 Oct 1967 to 28 Oct 1967 04 Nov 1967 to 05 Nov 1967 11 Nov 1967 to 08 Dec 1967 16 Dec 1967 to 07 Jan 1968 15 Jan 1968 to 21 Feb 1968 07 Jan 1969 to 30 Jan 1969 15 Feb 1969 to 16 Mar 1969 04 Apr 1969 to 17 Apr 1969 13 Jun 1970 to 29 Jun 1970 12 Jul 1970 to 22 Jul 1970 02 Aug 1970 to 26 Aug 1970 17 Sep 1970 to 13 Oct 1970 06 Nov 1970 to 23 Nov 1970 15 Jun 1971 to 10 Jul 1971 24 Jul 1971 to 07 Aug 1971 03 Sep 1971 to 27 Sep 1971 29 Oct 1971 to 21 Nov 1971 26 Jun 1972 to 23 Jul 1972 16 Aug 1972 to 01 Sep 1972 11 Sep 1972 to 28 Sep 1972 08 Oct 1972 to 31 Oct 1972 24 Nov 1972 to 18 Dec 1972 27 Dec 1972 to 31 Jan 1973 10 Feb 1973 to 06 Mar 1973 SASM 13 Jan 1991 to 19 Apr 1991 KLM 17 Jan 1991 to 07 Feb 1991 NAVE 01 Jan 1992 to 31 Dec 1992 |
Events March 26, 1945: Torpedo Squadron ONE HUNDRED FIFTY-THREE (VT-153) established at Naval Auxiliary Air Field Lewiston, Idaho. March 30, 1945: VT-153 was assigned the TBM-3E Grumman Avenger. June 1, 1945: VT-153 moved to Naval Auxiliary Air Field Oceana, Virginia. April 1946: VT-153 was assigned the TBM-3Q Grumman Avenger. July 2, 1946: Torpedo Squadron ONE HUNDRED FIFTY-THREE (VT-153) moved to Naval Air Station Norfolk, Virginia. August 8, 1946: VT-153 moved to Naval Air Station Alameda, California. November 15, 1946: VT-153 was redesignated Attack Squadron SIXTEEN A (VA-16A). 1946: Reserve Attack Squadron SEVENTY-ONE E (VA-71E) was established at Naval Air Station Glenview, Illinois. This Reserve Attack Squadron VA-71E would on February 4, 1953 become the second VA-155. Reserve Attack Squadron VA-71E was assigned the: Martin AM-1 Mauler, Curtiss SB2C-1 Helldiver and the Douglas AD-4 Skyraider. March 31, 1947 through October 8, 1947: VA-16A flying the TBM-3 Avenger deployed with CVAG-15 on USS Antietam CV 36 to WestPac. In April during the deployment three of the squadron's aircraft (Grumman TBM-3W Avengers) were equipped as ASW planes, giving the squadron an ASW mission as well as attack. July 15, 1948: VA-16A was redesignated Attack Squadron ONE HUNDRED FIFTY-FIVE (VA-155). On July 19, VA-155 was assigned the Douglas AD-4 Skyraider. October 1, 1948: Reserve squadron VA-71E was redesignated Reserve Attack Squadron FIFTY-EIGHT A (VA-58A). November 1, 1949: Reserve Attack Squadron FIFTY-EIGHT A (VA-58A) was redesignated Reserve Composite Squadron SEVEN HUNDRED TWENTY-TWO (VC-722). November 30, 1949: The first VA-155 was disestablished at Naval Air Station Alameda, California. April 1, 1950: Reserve Composite Squadron SEVEN HUNDRED TWENTY-TWO (VC-722) was redesignated Reserve Attack Squadron SEVEN HUNDRED TWENTY-EIGHT (VA-728). February 1, 1951: Reserve Attack Squadron VA-728 was called to active duty as Attack Squadron SEVEN HUNDRED TWENTY-EIGHT (VA-728) at Naval Air Station Alameda, California. The squadron was assigned the AD-1, AD-2, AD-4, AD-4L and AD-4Q versions of the Douglas Skyraider. September 8, 1951 through May 2, 1952: VA-728 flying the AD-2, AD-4, AD-4L and AD-4Q versions of the Skyraider deployed with CVG-15 on USS Antietam CV 36 for combat in Korea. October 1951: VA-728 engaged in combat operations, flying its first sorties over Korea. May 1952: Following the Korean combat tour the squadron was temporarily based at Naval Auxiliary Landing Field Santa Rosa, California to reform. On July 26, the squadron was assigned the Douglas AD-4NA, AD-6 and AD-7 Skyraiders. August 25, 1952: Following reformation the squadron moved to Naval Air Station Moffett Field, California for training. January 24, 1953 through September 21, 1953: VA-728 flying the AD-4NA Skyraider deployed with CVG-15 on USS Princeton CV 37 for its second combat tour in Korea. February 4, 1953: During the second Korean combat tour VA-728 was redesignated Attack Squadron ONE HUNDRED FIFTY-FIVE (VA-155). August 1, 1954 through February 28, 1955: VA-155 flying the AD-6 Skyraider deployed with CVG-15 on USS Yorktown CV 10 to WestPac. February 1955: Attack Squadron ONE HUNDRED FIFTY-FIVE aircraft flew sorties in support of the evacuation of Chinese Nationalists from the Tachen Islands. April 23, 1956 through October 15, 1956: VA-155 flying the AD-6 Skyraider deployed with CVG-15 on USS Wasp CVA 18 to WestPac. February 15, 1958 through October 2, 1958: VA-155 flying the AD-7 Skyraider deployed with CVG-15 on USS Hancock CVA 19 to WestPac. August 21 through September 11, 1958: Attack Squadron ONE HUNDRED FIFTY-FIVE flew sorties in the Taiwan Straits after the Chinese Communists bombarded Quemoy Island. October 8, 1958: After the Hancock CVA 19 WestPac cruise VA-155 was assigned the Douglas A4D-2 (A-4B) Skyhawk. Circa 1959: In 1958 VA-155 returned from a Westpac cruise. The squadron flew ADs which were retired and A4D-2s were assigned to the unit. I joined the squadron with the new aircraft in 1958. Only two AD pilots were retained (Artie Cisson and Dale Klugman). All other officers were replaced. The new CO was Cdr. Joralman who (I believe) flew torpedo planes in WWII. He was very “traditional Navy” although not an Academy graduate. He returned the squadron patch to the “cobra and skull” image which had been used earlier. His XO was LCdr. John “Smitty” Smith. In the last phase of training prior to deployment on the USS Hancock (CV-19), the CO bought the farm on a low-level training mission in Arizona. He was the second squadron pilot lost in the training cycle – the other was on a night landing engine failure. No replacement pilots were assigned for either loss. July 9, 1959: Cdr. Deforest Q. Joralmon, 37, VA-155 CO, was killed when his Moffett Field based A4D Skyhawk (BuNo 142817) operating from the USS Hancock crashed on Stoddard Mountain northeast of Victorville. He was found some distance from the wreckage about 15 miles northeast of George AFB. He apparently ejected and his parachute was partially open. Redlands Daily Facts, Redlands, CA, Thursday, July 9, 1959. Cdr. DeForest Joralmon, NAS Moffett squadron CO and veteran of 17 years of Navy flying, died Wednesday in the crash of his jet on Stoddard Mountain. Cdr. Joralman, winner of the Navy Cross and two Distinguished Flying Crosses in WW II and Korean war combat flying, ejected but at too low an altitude for his parachute to work. Pacific Stars and Stripes. Although he ejected, the cannon armed ejection seat did not carry Cdr. Joralmon high enough to allow full parachute deployment. VA-155 Tribute To Commander Deforest Joralmon. On the morning of July 8, 1959, DeForest Joralmon, VA-155 CO, took off from the USS Hancock (CVA-19) in Douglas A4D-2 BuNo 142817 with one other A4D-2 flown by LTJG J. F. Donahue. Their flight plan was to include a low altitude “Sandblower” (simulated special weapon attack mission) over the Mojave and Colorado deserts enroute to El Centro NAF before returning to the USS Hancock. At about 8:30 AM Cdr. Joralmon’s “Skyhawk suffered an explosion in the J65 jet engine, he immediately jettisoned his external fuel tanks and the inert practice weapon. Cdr. Joralmon then tried to gain as much altitude as possible before ejecting. Sadly, the cannon armed ejection seat did not carry Cdr. Joralmon high enough to allow full parachute deployment. His A4D-2 crashed into a ridge in the Stoddard Mountains and exploded scattering wreckage over a wide area. The official Navy investigation found that mechanical/engine failure was the primary cause of the accident. Most of BuNo 142817’s wreckage was removed by the Navy in 1959, but 1%-2% remains at the crash site today. Later models of the famed “Skyhawk” were equipped with the zero/zero rocket ejection seat that would certainly have saved Cdr. Joralmon’s life. In 1962 the A4D series of aircraft were designated A-4, the A4D-2 became the A-4B. The “Skyhawk” went on to serve the Navy and Marines for many decades before their retirement but a few years ago. July 13, 1960: LCdr. Garrett White ejected safely while making practice bombing approaches at Fallon when his engine (BuNo 142952) suddenly heated up to 900 degrees and the plane burst into flames and crashed. White ejected at 8,000 feet and received minor burns before the plane burst into flames and crashed. Oakland Tribune, Thursday, 14 July 1960. August 1, 1959 through January 18, 1960: VA-155 flying the Douglas A-4B Skyhawk deployed with CVG-15 on USS Hancock CVA 19 to WestPac. September 19, 1960 through May 27, 1961: VA-155 flying the Douglas A-4B Skyhawk deployed with CVG-15 on USS Coral Sea CVA 43 to WestPac. In January the squadron operated in the South China Sea after Pathet Lao forces captured strategic positions in Laos. January 7, 1961: Lt(jg). Dave Dunning was killed when his A4D (BuNo 142857) lost control on 7 January 1961 and hit the water in an inverted attitude. USS Rupertus (DD 851) recovered a wing tank. History of the USS Henry W. Tucker - DDR 875 (1960-1964) . The A4 banked sharply right immediately at the end of the launch and apparently stalled, hitting the water inverted to the right of the ship's course. From John Lyons. I was strapped into an A-4 and waiting for my launch behind the catapult blast deflector when Dave Dunning was launched from the right forward catapult rolled over to the right and went into the sea upside down. No sign of egress was observed. From Fred Shaffer. 0945 A4D BuNo 142857, VA-155, pilot LTjg D.B. Dunning, USN, crashed into the sea off the starboard bow immediately after take-off at Lat. 31-14.2N, Long. 135-27.8E, and sank immediately in 2250 fathoms of water. Rescue helicopter commenced search. USS Rupertus (DDR-851), 10 miles distant, was immediately told to close the scene for rescue duties. Maneuvering to pass clear of possible wreckage. Sighted one wing tank afloat. USS Coral Sea deck log, 7 January 1961.Lt(jg) Dave Dunning was lost A4D-2 BuNo 142857 at launch due to asymmetrical slat extension and hit the water in an inverted attitude. USS Rupertus (DD 851) recovered a wing tank. History of the USS Henry W. Tucker - DDR 875 (1960-1964) March 10, 1961: LCdr. William E. Orr ejected safely when his A-4D (BuNo 142907) flamed out and crashed into a mountainous region east of Nagoya Japan about 7:40 p.m. Friday. LCdr. Orr is stationed at NAS Atsugi. Pacific Stars & Stripes, Sunday, 12 March 1961. August 21 1961: Attack Squadron ONE HUNDRED FIFTY-FIVE was moved to Naval Air Station Lemoore, California. December 12, 1961 through August 17, 1962: VA-155 flying the Douglas A-4B Skyhawk deployed with CVG-15 on USS Coral Sea CVA 43 to WestPac. April 3, 1963 through November 25, 1963: Attack Squadron ONE HUNDRED FIFTY-FIVE flying the Douglas A-4B Skyhawk deployed with CVG-15 on USS Coral Sea CVA 43 to WestPac. December 1963: VA-155 Silver Fox were assigned the Douglas A-4E Skyhawk. February 22, 1964: Lt. Edward Andrew Dickson, 26, ejected from his disabled A4 Skyhawk (BuNo 150077) jet over a desolate area of the Sierra Nevada about 60 miles northwest of Bishop, CA (Rainbow Ridge SE of June Lake, CA.) and survived a 1,000 foot fall when his parachute failed to open, landed in a deep snow drift, and bounced out again, about 50 feet high the air, skittered along the snow and hit a pine tree. The Daily Review, Hayward, CA, Sunday, February 23, 1964 & The Titusville Herald, Monday, February 24, 1964. Lt. Dickson was one of four A-4s out of NAS Lemoore on practice aerial refueling, bomb and rocket deliveries and defensive tactics flight. The A-4s met up with the tanker at approximately 12,500 feet MSL and headed towards the target area with the A-4s practicing refueling enroute. The four aircraft, NL506, NL505, NL510 and NL504, in that order, all made routine plug-ins and received a token amount of fuel, 20-30 gallons. The exercise was repeated and another round of plug-ins commenced. NL505, NL506, and NL510 preformed the operation normally, but a small amount of fuel sprayed from the store drogue onto the windshield of NL510 when it unplugged, a common occurrence. Lt. Dickson in NL-504 moved into position and pushed the drogue in fuel began streaming from the drogue basket at a high rate spraying over the aircraft nose, canopy and into the engine intakes. Lt. Dickson radioed to the tanker telling him to turn the transfer off and at the same time reduced the throttle to at or near idle in attempt to back away from the drogue. The ingested fuel caused fumes in the cockpit and Lt. Dickson diverted his attention momentarily to place the air conditioning system to RAM AIR, moved under the tanker in spite of the throttle being at idle and then extended the speed brakes backed free from the drogue. The period during which fuel initially started streaming from the drogue until it stopped after NL504 backed free was 10 to 15 seconds. The ingested fuel damaged the engine and caused a compressor stall and he entered a 180-190 knot glide with the throttle at idle which did not change the compressor stall condition. Next he shifted to manual fuel control and shortly thereafter advanced the throttle to about three quarters of full throttle position in an effort to stop his sink rate. There was no noticeable power response or any change in the compressor stall condition. At this time he realized he would not clear the ridge ahead and ejected from the aircraft. The ESCAPAC seat fired but the parachute did not deploy as the elevation was too high to allow normal parachute deployment using the automatic features of the egress system and Lt. Dickson did not have time to manually deploy his parachute. The pilot impacted on a 10 degree down slope near the top of a ridge in approximately 30 inches of snow and bounced 43 feet and hit a pine tree. He sustained moderate injuries consisting of a broken femur and a fractured ankle of the right leg. He attempted to signal to his flight using 5 rounds of .38 caliber tracer ammunition with no success. Then he ignited the day smoke end of a MK 13 MOD O distress signal which was immediately seen by members of the flight. An Air Force HH-43 helicopter effected rescue at about 1450. Joe Idoni. April 13, 1964: Lt. G.J. Mischke, 34, from NAS Lemoore ejected safely from his A-4 Skyhawk (BuNo 150126) after a collision with another A-4 Skyhawk Monday and was found about four miles east of the crash site 20 miles NE of El Centro, Tuesday. The second pilot, Ens. J.D. Starling, 21, landed his damaged plane (BuNo 150094) at NAS El Centro. Nevada State Journal, Thursday, April 16, 1964 & Winona Daily News, Winona, Minnesota, Thursday, April 16, 1964. December 7, 1964 through November 1, 1965: VA-155 flying the Douglas A-4E Skyhawk deployed with CVG-15 on USS Coral Sea CVA 43 for its first combat cruise to WestPac/Vietnam. February 7 and 11, 1965: The Silver Fox participated in Flaming Dart I and II, reprisal strikes against targets in North Vietnam following a Viet Cong attack on the American advisors compound at Pleiku and the American billet in Qui Nhon, South Vietnam. February 7, 1965: Lt. Edward Andrew Dickson – KIA. As he started his attack run on the Dong Hoi staging area his Skyhawk (BuNo 150075, NL 503) shuddered and burst into flames when hit by 37mm flak. With his aircraft trailing a 50 foot stream of flame, he radioed that he was staying with the burning A-4 to continue his attack run. Soon afterward, he dropped his bombs then turned heading for the sea, but by now his A-4 was engulfed in flames forcing him to eject. Unfortunately his parachute didn’t deploy and he was considered lost at sea. In 1985, twenty years later, the Vietnamese returned his ID card. Lt. Dickson received a posthumous Navy Cross in recognition of staying with his burning aircraft and completing the mission. It was the first award of the Navy highest citation for aerial action in Vietnam and the first for an A-4 pilot. March 1965: Attack Squadron ONE HUNDRED FIFTY-FIVE began participation in Rolling Thunder operations, the bombing of military targets in North Vietnam. March 29, 1965: Cdr. Jack H. Harris (VA-155 CO) lost his engine to enemy fire during ALPHA strike bomb run against North Vietnamese air search radar facilities and ejected just offshore Bach Long Vi Island, which is located about 70 miles offshore roughly midway between Haiphong and the Chinese island of Hainan. The USS Charr surfaced and picked him up within a matter of minutes, Cdr. Harris remained on the USS Charr for several days and was eventually high-lined to a Navy destroyer for return to the Coral Sea. CDR Harris was killed on 26 October 1966 in a fire aboard the USS Oriskany. August 12, 1965: Lt. William T. Fidelibus ejected after his Skyhawk (BuNo 150067, NL 507) was hit on the stbd side by 37mm AAA which blew the off the flap, most of the aileron, the wing tip and 2/3 of the horizontal stabilizer on a North Vietnam SAM site search and destroy mission. He dropped all externals, climbed to 15,000 feet and headed for the Coral Sea despite a small fire and loss of hydraulics. Without enough elevator control for a safe landing he ejected alongside the Coral Sea. 1752 Pilot Lt. W.T. Fidelibus ejected from his A4E into sea off Starboard bow at Latitude 16-55.0 N, Longitude 109-11.0 E. Plane sank in 65 fathoms of water. Turner Joy and Coral Sea helicopter detached to recover pilot. 1809 Pilot entered water. 1810 Pilot recovered by helicopter. 1813 Pilot delivered on board Coral Sea. Injuries to pilot: none. USS Coral Sea deck log, Thursday, 12 August 1965. Lt. William T. Fidelibus, 30, has received the Distinguished Flying Cross for heroic action in bringing his crippled A-4E Skyhawk some 300 miles to the USS Coral Sea on August 12, 1965. He ejected into the Gulf of Tonkin near the USS Coral Sea when his Skyhawk couldn't be landed. Delaware County Daily Times, Thursday, January 27, 1966. September 10, 1965: LCdr. Wendell Burke Rivers ejected and was captured when he was hit by AAA during an attack on the power station at Vinh. Unsure if the hit was from AAA or a premature explosion of his own bomb(s) he climbed and turned toward the sea with his aircraft on fire. Before he reached the sea the fire burned through the tail, his Skyhawk (BuNo 149991) pitched nose down and the engine surged wildly. October 11, 1965: LCdr. P.M. Moore ejected when his Skyhawk was hit by ground fire on his 2nd attack on barracks near Lin Qui, 20 mile NE of Thanh Hoa. His engine flamed out at 300 feet and although he managed a restart, the engine it wouldn't achieve full power. He manage to rendezvous with a KA-3B tanker but the engine continued to lose power and headed for the SAR Destroyer and ejected. May 12, 1966 through December 3, 1966: VA-155 flying the Douglas A-4E Skyhawk deployed with CVG-15 on USS Constellation CVA 64 for its second combat cruise to WestPac/Vietnam. VA-155 was the first A-4 squadron deploying to Vietnam using a new camouflage paint scheme nicknamed the "Flying Mulberrybushes." The new paint scheme and colors were expected to reduce battle damage by making the aircraft more difficult to see. June 27, 1966: LCdr. Gene Albert Smith was killed when his Skyhawk (BuNo 152073, NL 507) crashed and exploded during an attack on transport barges near Van Yen. It was assumed that his aircraft had been hit by 37mm AAA on his run in. July 1, 1966: Cdr. Charles Henry Peters, VA-155 CO, ejected at extremely low altitude among the islands of the Fai Tsi Long Archipelago and was killed after his Skyhawk (BuNo. 152017 side number NL 511) was hit in the starboard wing by 37mm AAA during a raid on a POL site at Dong Nham. July 4, 1966: Lt. N.E. Holben ejected and was rescued by a Navy helicopter when his Skyhawk (BuNo 151026, NL 513) was struck in the tail by ground fire during his 3rd pass over what were assumed to be patrol boats 15 miles E of Dao Cat Ba island during an armed night reconnaissance mission. July 29, 1966: Lt(jg). Virgil King Cameron was killed when his Skyhawk (BuNo 152045, NL 513) crashed after being hit by AAA while making a ZUNI attack on barges at Phu Dien Chau, 20 miles N of Vinh. Diving at 480 knots and passing 2,000 feet when he was hit in the stbd wing root causing the Skyhawk to roll rapidly to the left and crash before he could eject. August 10, 1966: LCdr. Joseph Stephen Henriquez ejected and was killed when his engine failed on launch and his parachute failed to open. 0635 A-4E Bureau No 151065 of VA-155, pilot LCDR J.S. Henrique crashed into the sea off the port bow at Lat. 18-31.1 N long. 107-22.4 E, and sank in 35 fathoms of water. Detached USS Greene (DD-711) for rescue operation. Changed course to avoid a/c in water. 0638 c/c to 210 degrees. 0642 Received report pilot picked up by helo. 0654 c/c to 030 degrees. 0709 Received report from Dr. R.W. Smith Flight Surgeon that LCDR J.S. Henrique was dead on arrival aboard this ship. USS Constellation deck log, Wednesday, 10 August 1966. Vice President Humphrey presented the Distinguished Flying Cross to the widow of one of the Navy's greatest fliers, the late LCdr. Joseph Stephen Henriquez. The Harlem product who was on his way to becoming the Navy's first negro squadron commander was killed last summer during a takeoff from the USS Constellation. Jet magazine, 02 March 1967. August 26, 1967 through April 6, 1968: VA-155 flying the Douglas A-4E Skyhawk deployed with CVG-15 on USS Coral Sea CVA 43 for its third combat cruise to WestPac/Vietnam. October 17, 1967: Lt(jg). Fredrick John Fortner was killed when his Skyhawk (BuNo 152038, NL 512) crashed after attacking a military storage site near Dao Cai Bau island, 20 mile NE of Hon Gay. As he pulled up from his dive on the target his plane was seen to be trailing smoke and streaming fuel. He turned for the open sea and radioed that his controls were locked. The crash was attributed to a 2.75" FFAR malfunction. October 20, 1967: Attack Squadron ONE HUNDRED FIFTY-FIVE aircraft sighted six North Vietnamese PT boats near Thanh Hoa and engaged the boats. Four PT boats were sunk, one damaged and the sixth escaped, seeking refuge in the mouth of the river near Thanh Hoa. October 26, 1967: Cdr. Verlyn Wayne Daniels ejected about 15 miles NW of Thai Nguyen and was captured when his Skyhawk (BuNo 150059, NL 501) crashed after a direct hit from an SA-2 during a raid on Phuc Yen. His aircraft was engulfed in flames and went out of control when the hydraulics failed. November 25, 1967: Cdr. William H. Searfus was killed when he and his Skyhawk went over the side ... The Skyhawk (Bill's plane) was parked last slot/port/fantail. The F-4 was adjacent, and of course a full air strike was in progress, daylight hours, but late in day. As you probably are aware some confusion may exist as to whether your dad was fully strapped and buckled in. It was very hot and it was not uncommon for the pilots to wait until the last minute to get fully strapped. In any event, the F4 pilot made a very simple, but critical error. In applying thrust he under judged the required power to get his aircraft out of the slot, and turned up the deck. He obviously applied more power at about the 45 degree angle of the turn, when he realized he had misjudged his initial power application. This of course meant his secondary power increase was directed straight at the A-4. This coupled with about 40 knots of wind over the deck, turned the A-4's nose towards the fantail, and ultimately over the side. From Gary Chappell. 0833 hours A-4E BuNo 150037 of VA-155, pilot Cdr. William H. Searfus, fell from the flight deck off the fantail into the sea at latitude 18-42.4 N., Longitude 107-24 W. and sank in 34 fathoms of water. USS Coral Sea deck log, Saturday, 25 November 1967. [Submitted by - Gary Chappell] - A-4 Deck Mishap involving Cdr. William .H. Searfus. The following is a letter to his son. Dear Stan, December 22, 1967: LCdr. Wilmer Paul Cook was killed when his Skyhawk (BuNo 152071, NL 506) caught fire, probably from his own bomb explosion, while bombing a pontoon bridge 13 miles S of Vinh and crashed two miles from the coast. Rescue attempted by USS Dale (DLG-19/CG-19) HC-7 Seadevils Det. 106 UH-2B Seasprite 18 miles, 130⁰ from Vinh, four miles inland. Helo hovered 4' above deceased pilot still strapped into his parachute 300 feet from the wreckage, but couldn't land due to intense ground fire. March 1968: USS Coral Sea CVA 43, with VA-155 embarked, operated on station off the coast of Korea following the January capture of USS Pueblo AGER 2 by North Korea. April 10, 1968: Attack Squadron ONE HUNDRED FIFTY-FIVE was assigned the Douglas A-4F Skyhawk. May 13, 1968: LCdr. Gary Jones, 34, ejected safely and was not injured when his A-4 Skyhawk (BuNo 155054) crashed in an open field five miles west of NAS Lemoore Monday. Press-Telegram, Tues., May 14, 1968. September 13, 1968: Lt.(jg) (Mike) White ejected safely when his VA-155 Skyhawk (BuNo 155053) from NAS Lemoore crashed near Stokes Mt, about 10 miles from Woodlake, CA. He was treated for minor injuries after he was picked up by a Tulare County Deputy Sheriff and taken to the Alta local hospital in Dinuba. The Fresno Bee, Friday, 13 September 1968. October 26, 1968, through May 17, 1969: VA-155 flying the Douglas A-4F Skyhawk deployed with CVW-2 on USS Ranger CVA 61 for its fourth combat cruise to WestPac/Vietnam. January 17, 1969: Cdr. John Herbert Weaver killed when A-4 Skyhawk BuNo 155059 crashed into the sea off the starboard bow at latitude 17-54.6N, longitude 107-29.8E at 0006 hours. 0007 USS Wilson (DD-867), USS Waller (DD-466) and helicopter commenced search for pilot. 0102 Body of CDR J.H. Weaver recovered by whaleboat from USS Wilson and delivered on board Wilson. Wilson remaining on scene to search for debris. USS Ranger deck log, Friday, 17 January 1969. April 15, 1969: After the Navy EC-121 Lockheed Constellation shoot down by North Korea, USS Ranger CVA 61, with VA-155 embarked, left Yankee Station and proceeded to the Sea of Japan for operations off the coast of Korea. May 16, 1969: Lt. Steven N. Poggi in VA-155 A-4F (BuNo 154999 ) side number 412 reported control difficulties and advised intention to eject at 1335. Pilot seen to eject bearing 226T 7500 yards from ship at 1336. Ships position 37-56.3N, 128-36.9 W. Good chute sighted by ship and helos. Pick-up effected at 1346. Received injury report that Lt. Poggi received contusions of the shins in aircraft accident. USS Ranger deck log, 16 May 1969. The pilot was assigned one of the squadron A-4F Skyhawks for the fly off to the beach and although a thorough brief was given by the CO no mention was made that his plane hadn't been flown since acceptance by the squadron and only four hours since a calendar inspection by another squadron 60 days earlier. Immediately after the cat shot things turned to worms, the nose came up to high and the pilot encountered a lot of resistance when he pushed forward on the stick and it required both hands on the stick to prevent a stall. Nose down trim was of no help and after several oscillations the pilot raised the gear and flaps and radioed his problem. The plane was buffeting and narrowly averted a stall several times and a slow climb was accomplished to about 5,000 feet. An attempt was made to get the nose down by putting the plane into a shallow turn but the plane continued to buffet and slowly losing altitude. After making a complete 360 the Skyhawk neared a completely stalled condition and the pilot ejected and he was rescued by the plane guard helicopter. NAN Grampaw Pettibone, January 1970 September 29, 1969: Attack Squadron ONE HUNDRED FIFTY-FIVE was assigned the A-7B Vought Corsair II. May 14, 1970 through December 10, 1970: VA-155 flying the Vought A-7B Corsair deployed with CVW-19 on USS Oriskany CVA 34 for its fifth combat cruise to WestPac/Vietnam. June 25, 1970: Silver Fox A-7B Corsair BuNo. 154525 was lost in a non-combat accident. The pilot was rescued. November 21, 1970: VA-155 flew missions in support of an attempt to rescue American prisoners-of-war at the Son Tay prisoner compound, 20 miles west of Hanoi. No prisoners were found in the camp. May 14, 1971 through December 18, 1971: VA-155 flying the Vought A-7B Corsair deployed with CVW-19 on USS Oriskany CVA 34 for its sixth combat cruise to WestPac/Vietnam. The Silver Foxes did not lose any aircraft in accidents or combat this cruise. June 5, 1972 through March 30, 1973: VA-155 flying the Vought A-7B Corsair deployed with CVW-19 on USS Oriskany CVA 34 for its sixth combat cruise to WestPac/Vietnam. July 17, 1972: Silver Fox A-7B Corsair BuNo. 154521 side number NM 510 was shot down by North Vietnamese Triple A fire. The pilot, Lt. L. F. Haas was Killed In Action. September 20, 1972: Silver Fox A-7B Corsair BuNo. 154353 was lost in a non-combat accident. The pilot was rescued. September 24, 1972: Silver Fox A-7B Corsair BuNo. 154486 side number NM 510 was shot down by South Vietnamese Triple A fire. The pilot, Lt. D. V. Borah successfully ejected and was captured by the North Vietnamese and made Prisoner Of War. February 1973: Following the cease fire with North Vietnam, VA-155 flew combat missions in Laos until a cease fire was signed with that country on February 22, 1973. October 18, 1973 through June 5, 1974: VA-155 flying the Vought A-7B Corsair deployed with CVW-19 on USS Oriskany CVA 34 cruise to WestPac. November 1973: USS Oriskany CVA 34, with VA-155 embarked, departed from operations in the South China Sea to relieve Hancock CVA 19 on station in the Arabian Sea due to the unsettled conditions following the Yom Kippur War in the Middle East. September 16, 1975 through March 3, 1976: VA-155 flying the Vought A-7B Corsair deployed with CVW-19 on USS Oriskany CVA 34 cruise to WestPac. September 4, 1976 through April 21, 1977: VA-155 flying the Vought A-7B Corsair deployed with CVW-19 on USS Franklin D. Roosevelt CVA 42 cruise to the Mediterranean. September 30, 1977: Attack Squadron ONE HUNDRED FIFTY FIVE was dis-established. September 1, 1987: Attack Squadron ONE HUNDRED FIFTY-FIVE (VA-155) re-established at Naval Air Station Whidbey Island, Washington (The third VA-155). On November 16, VA-155 was assigned the Grumman KA-6D and A-6E Intruder. August 15 through October 8, 1988: USS Independence CV 62, with VA-155 embarked, conducted a change of home port transit from Norfolk to San Diego via Cape Horn. During the transit numerous air power demonstrations were conducted for dignitaries from various South American countries. December 8, 1990 through June 9, 1991: VA-155 flying the Grumman A-6E Intruder deployed with CVW-2 on USS Ranger CVA 61 cruise to WestPac and redeployment for combat in the Persian Gulf. January 17, 1991: VA-155 conducted its first combat operations. VA-155's CO, Cdr. Sweigart, led Air Wing Two's aircraft in its first strike against Iraq. January 18, 1991: The squadron suffered its first and only loss during the war with Iraq when one of its A-6E Intruders was shot down while on a mining sortie by the Um Qasr Naval Base in Iraq. February 28, 1991: USS Ranger's CVA-61 last combat strike of the Gulf War was launched and led by VA-155 aircraft. During the 43 day Gulf War the squadron flew 635 sorties, and delivered 2,289,940 pounds of ordnance on Iraqi military targets. August 1, 1992 through January 31, 1993: VA-155 flying the Douglas A-6E Intruder deployed with CVW-2 on USS Ranger CVA 61 cruise to WestPac and redeployment for combat in the Persian Gulf. September through December 1992: Squadron aircraft flew sorties in support of Operation Southern Watch, flights over southern Iraq south of the 32nd parallel to ensure Iraq was adhering to United Nations sanctions. December 1992: The squadron participated in Operation Restore Hope, flying sorties in support of the humanitarian relief effort in Somalia. April 30, 1993: Attack Squadron ONE HUNDRED FIFTY-FIVE was disestablished. |
Unit Photos 29 OCT 1958 Change of Command for CO Deforest Joralmon. Charlie Lugg, Artie Cisson, Bud Ingley, O.D. King, CO Deforest "Jerry" Joralmon, XO John "Smitty" Smith, John Branson, Herb Hope, Dale Klugman, Charlie Lugg, John Pulice, Bill Green, Jim Sweet, Jerry McCleskey and A.C. Stallings pose in front of A4D-2 BuNo 142816, NL-512. The officers of VA-155 pose in front of A4D-2 Skyhawk BuNo 142816, NL-512, aboard the USS Hancock. Front Kneeling L to R: Peter Banks, XO O.D. King, CO John Smith and Dale Klugman. Back Standing: Lenny Pacheo (Admin), E.W. "Bud" Ingley (Maint. and 155 CO later in the 60s), Dick Brummett, Jerry McClesky, A.C. Stallings, A.L. Hamlin, Herb Hope (involved in the Forrestal Fire), John Donahue, Sweet (Weapons), John Pulice and Branson (OPS). Not shown were A. Cisson, W.E. Green and C.M. Lugg. Photos from Jerry McCleskey 1959: Images from the training and deployment cycle of VA-155 in 1959, Moffett Field and aboard CVA-19. 1959 WestPac: A4D-2 about to trap aboard CVA-19 during 1959 WestPac cruise. CVA-19 flight deck, with VA--153 NL-306 and VA-155 NL5xx on deck. From Jerry McClesky. VA-155 A4D-1s tanking during the CVA-19 WestPac in 1959: Pic 1; Pic 2. From Jerry McClesky. 1959: BuNo 142842, NL-510. From Jerry McClesky. BuNo 142842, NL-510, over Hawaii. From Jerry McClesky. BuNo 142842, NL-510, over Pearl Harbour, Hawaii. Jerry McClesky. 1962: USS Coral Sea (CVA-63) with aircraft from CVW-15 (NL) including VF-151 Vigilantes F3H-2 Demons, VA-152 Fighting Aces AD-6 Skyraiders, VA-153 Blue Tail Flies A4D-2N Skyhawks, VF-154 Black Knights F8U-2N Crusaders, VA-155 Silver Foxes A4D-2 Skyhawks, VAH-2 Royal Rampants A3D-2 Skywarriors, VFP-63 Eyes of the Fleet Det. D F8U-1P Crusaders, VAW-11 Early Elevens Det. D WF-2 Tracers, VAW-13 Zappers Det. D AD-5Q Skyraiders and HU-1 Fleet Angels Det. D HUP-3 Retrievers, 12 January 1962. 1962: USS Coral Sea (CVA-43) and CVG-15 (NL) aircraft sail under the Golden Gate bridge 1961-1962. The Air Group squadrons/aircraft were VF-151 Vigilantes (F3H-2 Demon), VA-152 Fighting Aces (AD-6 Skyraider), VA-153 Blue Tail Flies (A4D-2 Skyhawk), VF-154 Black Knights (F8U-1E Crusader), VA-155 Silver Foxes (A4D-2 Skyhawk), VMA-324 Devildogs (A4D-2 Skyhawk), VMA-121 Green Knights (A4D-2 Skyhawk), VAH-2 (A3D-2 Skywarrior), VFP-61 Det. D (F8U-1P Crusader), VAW-13 Zappers Det. D (WF-2 Tracer), HU-1 Pacific Fleet Angels Det. D (HUP-2 Retriever). 1963-64: Flight of A-4E Skyhawks from VA-155. Left to right is BuNo 150075, NL-503; 151076, NL-507; 150124, NL-511 and 150078, NL505. Photo from Lt.Col. J.C. Baldwin via his son Joe Baldwin. VA-155 A-4Es in formation. From top NL-514, NL-512, NL-515 and NL-503 which might be BuNo 150075. Photo Gary Verver Collection. 1964: Three VA-155 A-4E Skyhawks flying formation somewhere over California shortly before the United States Ship Coral Sea combat cruise departing November 1964. The leader is BuNo. 150074, side number NL 510; #2 BuNo. 150124, side number NL 511; #3 BuNo. 151073, side number NL 512. Photograph from Al Hyde. 1965: Silver Foxes' Skyhawk BuNo 151108 and BuNo 151084, NL-507, their bomb racks empty streak across the coastline headed for the USS Coral Sea. Naval Aviation News Photo. 1965: 1965 Silver Foxes' Skyhawk BuNo 151084, NL-507, from the USS Coral Sea banks as it prepares to make a diving run on a Viet Cong target. Naval Aviation News Photo. 1965: USS Coral Sea (CVA-63) with aircraft from CVW-15 (NL) including VA-153 Blue Tail Flies A-4C Skyhawks, VA-155 Silver Foxes A-4E Skyhawks, VA-165 A-1H/J Skyraiders, VAH-2 Royal Rampants A-3B Skywarriors, VF-151 Vigilantes F-4B Phantoms, VF-154 Black Knights F-8D Crusaders, VFP-63 Eyes of the Fleet Det. D RF-8A Crusaders, VAW-11 Early Elevens Det. D E-1B Tracers, HC-1 Fleet Angels Det. D UH-2A Seasprites, VAP-61 Det. RA-3B Skywarriors, VQ-1 Det. EA-3B Skywarriors, VAW-13 Zappers Det. EA-1F Skyraiders and VMCJ-1 Det. RF-8A Crusaders, circa 1964-1965. A-4E Skyhawk BuNo 151073 NJ-503, preflight- 1965. Al Hyde prefilghts his Skyhawk before at mission to strike Kep, Vietnam. This combat cruise from the from United States Ship Coral Sea CVA 43, took place from February 1965 to November 1965. Photograph from Al Hyde. A-4E Skyhawk BuNo 151073 NJ-503, Start - 1965. Al fires up his Skyhawk before at mission to strike Kep airfield, Vietnam during the 1965 combat cruise. Photograph from Al Hyde. A-4E Skyhawk BuNo 151073 NJ-503, Taxi - 1965. Al taxies his Skyhawk to the Coral Sea cat. Photograph from Al Hyde. 1965: A-4E Skyhawk BuNo 151073 NJ-503, Gone Flying. Al Hyde launches off the cat for a strike on Kep Airbase, Vietnam. Photograph from Al Hyde. 1965: A-4E Skyhawk BuNo 151073 NJ-503, Target for Today - Kep . "Hey guys let's put some holes in that runway." Time to roll in on the Kep runway. Photograph from Al Hyde. 1966: USS Constellation (CVA-64) and CVW-15 (NL) aircraft. The Air Group squadrons/aircraft were VF-151 Black Knights (F-4B Phantom II), VF-161 Chargers (F-4B Phantom II), VA-153 Blue Tail Flies (A-4C Skyhawk), VA-155 Silver Foxes (A-4E Skyhawk), VA-65 Tigers (A-6A Intruder), RVAH-6 Fleurs (RA-5C Vigilante), VAH-8 Fireballers (A-3B Skywarrior), VAW-11 Early Elevens Det. A (E-2A Hawkeye), HC-1 Unit D (UH-2A/B Seasprite), VQ-1 World Watchers Det. (EA-3B Skywarrior), VAP-61 World Recorders Det. (RA-3B Skywarrior), VAW-13 Zappers Det (EA-1F Skyraider), HS-6 Indians Det. (SH-3A Sea King). Circa 1966: USS Constellation (CVA-64) with aircraft from CVW-15 (NL) on deck including VF-151 Black Knights (F-4B Phantom II), VF-161 Chargers (F-4B Phantom II), VA-153 Blue Tail Flies (A-4C Skyhawk), VA-155 Silver Foxes (A-4E Skyhawk) VA-65 Tigers (A-6A Intruder), RVAH-6 Fleurs (RA-5C Vigilante), VAH-8 Fireballers (A-3B Skywarrier), VAW-11 Early Eleven Det. A (E-2A Tracer), HC-1 Fleet Angels Unit D (UH-2A/B Seasprite). 1966: VA-155 A-4E Skyhawk BuNo 152071. Squadron A-4E's in new war paint parked on United States Ship Constellation, CVA-64. The Skyhawk in dark green paint was designated by North Vietnamese AA gunners as "large green targets" during the May 1966 to December 1966 combat cruise. Photograph from Al Hyde. Photo Credit: from "Boom" Powell. Description: left front view of Skyhawk BuNo 151074, #514, painted in a dark green/brown camouflage scheme. VA-155, 05-12-66 to 12-03-66 - CVW-15 - CVA 64 - A-4E - WestPac/Vietnam. 1966: 1966 U.S.S. Constellation: Silver Foxes Skyhawk BuNo 152071, NL-506, being moved into postion on one of the Connies forward cats. Naval Aviation News photo via W. Mutza. July 1967 - April 1968: VA-155 Silver Foxes A-4E Skyhawk BuNo 150062, NL-502, getting ready to start engines, USS Coral Sea. Name below the canopy rail is Cdr. Daniels and below that L A Boomer 2. Official U.S. Navy photo. Circa 1968: BuNo 152017, NL-501, over the Sierras. Provided by Skip Fumia. Three A-4Fs, possibly one is 155051, over Mono Lake. From Skip Fumia. Circa 68: VA-155 A-4F 155057 with everything but the kitchen sink. Attached looks like 2 Bullpups, 2 MBER's with 6 iron bombs on each and a Walleye. Official USN, NAS Lemoore from PHC Robert Zeisler, USN Ret. Scanned by Gary Verver. Circa 68: VA-155 A-4F 155057 with everything but the kitchen sink. Attached looks like 2 Bullpups, 2 MBER's with 6 iron bombs on each and a Walleye. Official USN, NAS Lemoore from PHC Robert Zeisler, USN Ret. From Skip Fumia. 01 April 1969: Silver Foxes Skyhawks aboard the USS Ranger. BuNo 155050 2nd from right. U.S. Navy Photo. Hole drilled in the vertical stab photo. In late summer of '72 the NVA surrounded the defense perimeter at Bato, south of Danang. Lots of support provided for the defenders. Arc Light strikes were normally proceeded by a TACAN DME and radial warning broadcast on guard prior to the drop. On this particular day the folks in the DASC got real busy with their paperwork and neglected issuing their warning. Silver Fox Two had just pulled off target after dropping his last bomb, jinked, then rolled sideways so he could look back and score his own bomb. Felt a significant shudder. The A-7 was marginally controllable and the jock nursed it to a fine landing at Danang. Unstrapped, got out, looked at the hole drilled in the vertical stab by a Mark 82, then headed for the club for some serious quaffing. Sent a copy of this photo down to Blue Chip with a note that they'd finally hit something. Photo from Chuck Hines, Raven 20. 1972: USS Oriskany (CVA-34) with aircraft from CVW-19 (NM) including VF-191 Satans Kittens F-8J Crusaders, VF-194 Red Lightnings F-8J Crusaders, VA-153 Blue Tail Flies A-7B Corsairs, VA-215 Barn Owls A-7B Corsairs, VA-155 Silver Foxes A-7B Corsairs, VFP-63 Eyes of the Fleet Det. 4 RF-8G Crusaders, RVAW-110 Firebirds Det. 4 E-1B Tracers and HC-1 Fleet Angels Det. 4 SH-3G Sea Kings, and four unknown Skyhawks behind the island. circa 1972-1976. Off-Duty Events/Photos February 19, 2002: Commander Robert Reynold former Silver Fox Commanding Officer from December 7, 1968 to October 24, 1969 died this day. |
A-4 Skyhawk aircraft assigned to this unit:
|
|