VA-106 Gladiators
Helmet & Shield -1952
Patch coutesy of Otto Krueger |
Helmet & Shield - 1982
Patch courtesy of VFA-106 |
F/A-18 Shoulder Patch - 199x
Drawn by Bud Southworth |
F/A-18 Shoulder Patch - 199x
Drawn by Bud Southworth
JOIN The Skyhawks
The Squadron Duty Officer is the squadron contact point, who communicates
with former squadron members about squadron information, sea stories,
squadron pictures, scuttlebutt, and gathers information about squadron buddies.
Please contact the Squadron SDO as listed here.
The Table Of Content:
Patch:
- November 23, 1945, Bomber-Fighter Squadron SEVENTEEN created the "Skeleton Riding A Rocket" patch.
The Skeleton Riding A Rocket patch had deep purple sky, aquamarine water and white clouds outlined in pale blue; the skeleton had a deep purple sombrero, a white face with light green shading and deep purple sockets, magenta shirt with an orange neckerchief, the hands were white with light green markings, teal trousers with a light blue cuff, tan boots with a brown sole, dark purple stirrups, tan saddle with pommel and under-portions brown; light gray rocket outlined in purple with yellow and orange lines emanating from the tail, light gray pistol outlined in purple with yellow smoke, magenta bomb, and a brown belt and holster.
- April 16, 1952, Fighter Squadron SIXTY-TWO initiated the "Helmet and Shield" patch --- illustrated above.
- May 26, 1982, VFA-106 modified the "Helmet and Shield" patch. This patch is illustrated above.
- 199x, VFA-106 Hornet pilots wear unofficial F/A-18 shoulder patches.
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Handle:
- There is no recorded moniker for the 1945 to 1952 period.
- VA-106 Gladiators from 1952 to 1969.
- VFA-106 took the name "Gladiators" when established in 1984, and has used it to the present.
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Aircraft:
Date Type First Received - - - - - - Type of Aircraft:
Heritage:
- January 2, 1945, Bomber-Fighter Squadron SEVENTEEN (VBF-17) established.
- November 15, 1946, VBF-17 redesignated as Fighter Squadron SIX B (VF-6B).
- July 28, 1948, VF-6B redesignated as Fighter Squadron SIXTY-TWO (VF-62).
- July 1, 1955, VF-62 redesignated Attack Squadron ONE HUNDRED SIX (VA-106).
- November 7, 1969, Attack Squadron ONE HUNDRED SIX (VA-106) disestablished.
- Strike Fighter Squadron ONE HUNDRED SIX (VFA-106) established April 27, 1984.
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Commanders:
- January 11, 1945 - - - - - - - Lieutenant Commander Hugh W. Nicholson
- May 14, 1945 - - - - - - - - - Lieutenant Edwin S. Connant (acting)
- August 20, 1945- - - - - - - - Lieutenant Commander Edwin S. Connant
- July 1, 1947 - - - - - - - - - Commander C. E. Houston
- 1948 - - - - - - - - - - - - - Lieutenant Commander Walter O. Zoecklein (acting)
- July 2, 1948 - - - - - - - - - Lieutenant Commander James E. Shew
- January 3, 1950- - - - - - - - Lieutenant Commander Hugh A. Kelly
- October19, 1951- - - - - - - - Commander Douglas A. Clark
- November 25, 1952- - - - - - - Lieutenant Commander William W. Kelly
- February 27, 1954- - - - - - - Commander Lewis W. Jenkins
- July 1955- - - - - - - - - - - Commander Hollis H. Hills
- February 1957- - - - - - - - - Commander O. L. Dauphin
- April 25, 1958 - - - - - - - - Commander Newton P. Foss
- December 5, 1959 - - - - - - - Commander S. O. Bach
- July 22, 1960- - - - - - - - - Commander L. W. Baldwin, Jr.
- July 31, 1961- - - - - - - - - Commander L. E. Irvin
- July 25, 1962- - - - - - - - - Commander W. S. Nelson
- July 1963- - - - - - - - - - - Commander G. E. R. Kinnear II
- August 1, 1964 - - - - - - - - Commander C. B. Crockett
- June 1965- - - - - - - - - - - Commander James H. Scott
- June 24, 1966- - - - - - - - - Commander S. R. Foley, Jr.
- August 7, 1967 - - - - - - - - Commander S. E. Latimer, Jr.
- November 17, 1967- - - - - - - Commander Walter L. Clarke, Jr.
- March 3, 1969- - - - - - - - - Commander J. H. Harns
- April 27, 1984 - - - - - - - - Commander D. J. L'Herault
- December 13, 1985- - - - - - - Commander J. W. Peterson
- February 13, 1987- - - - - - - Commander L. G. Kappel
- June 3, 1988 - - - - - - - - - Commander W. O. King, Jr.
- June 12, 1989- - - - - - - - - Commander W. N. Deaver, Jr.
- March 19, 1991 - - - - - - - - Commander J. Barry Waddell
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Home Ports:
- January 2, 1945* - - - - - Naval Air Station Agana, Guam
- July 8, 1945 - - - - - - - Naval Air Station Alameda
- September 1945 - - - - - - Naval Auxiliary Air Station Fallon
- February 1946- - - - - - - Naval Air Station Brunswick
- 1946†- - - - - - - - - - - Naval Air Station Norfolk
- September 25, 1948 - - - - Naval Auxiliary Air Station Oceana
- November 22, 1948- - - - - Naval Air Station Norfolk
- January 20, 1949 - - - - - Naval Auxiliary Air Station Oceana
- September 18, 1950‡- - - - Naval Auxiliary Air Station Cecil Field
- October 13, 1952 - - - - - Naval Air Station Jacksonville
- December 1954- - - - - - - Naval Air Station Cecil Field
- April 27, 1984 - - - - - - Naval Air Station Cecil Field
- * Temporary shore assignment while the squadron conducted training in preparation for combat deployment.
- † The squadron was transferred from Naval Air Station Brunswick to Naval Air Station Norfolk sometime in July or August 1946.
- ‡ The squadron's home port changed to Naval Air Station Jacksonville on September 5, 1950 and the move from Naval Auxiliary Air Station Oceana was conducted between September 6 and 7. On September 18, Commander Fleet Air Jacksonville changed the squadron's home port to Naval Auxiliary Air Station Cecil Field.
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Air Wings:
Date - - - - - - - - - - - - Tail code - - - - - - - Air Wing
- January 2, 1945- - - - - - C - - - - - CVG-17/CVBG-17/ CVBG-5/CVG-6*
- September 1950 - - - - - - F - - - - - CVG-4
- 1954 - - - - - - - - - - - P/AK† - - - CVG-10
- October 12, 1961 - - - - - - - - - - - CVG-1‡
- November 12, 1961- - - - - AK- - - - - CVG-10/CVW-10§
- January 1, 1966- - - - - - AC- - - - - CVW-3
- February 1, 1967 - - - - - AA- - - - - CVW-17
- January 10, 1968 - - - - - AK- - - - - CVW-10
- March 3, 1969- - - - - - - AG- - - - - CVW-7
- April 27, 1984 - - - - - - AD- - - - - COMLATWING ONE
- * CVG-17 was established on January 1, 1943, redesignated CVBG-17 on January 22, 1946, then redesignated CVBG-5 on November 15, 1946. CVBG-5 was then redesignated CVG-6 on July 27, 1948.
- † The tail code was changed from P to AK in 1957. The effective date for this change was most likely July 1, 1957.
- ‡ The squadron was temporarily assigned to Air Group 1 for operation Blow Torch, simulated nuclear strikes against North American targets, and for nuclear operational suitability tests aboard United States Ship Franklin D. Roosevelt CVA 42.
- § CVG-10 was redesignated CVW-10 when Carrier Air Group (CVG) designations were redesignated Carrier Air Wings (CVW) on December 20, 1963.
- *CVG-I5 was redesignated CVW-16 when Carrier Air Groups (CVG were redesignated Carrier Air Wings (CVW) on December 20, 1963.
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Deployments:
Departure & Return - - - - - - - - Air Wing - Carrier - Aircraft - - Area of Operations:
- 02-10-45 to 06-13-45 - CVG-17 - CV 12- - F6F-5 - - Pacific
- 10-27-49 to 11-23-49 - CVG-6- - CVB 42 - F8F-2 - - NorLant
- 05-15-51 to 10-04-51 - CVG-4- - CV 34- - F2H-2 - - Mediterranean
- 04-19-52 to 10-12-52 - CVG-4- - CVB 43 - F2H-2 - - Mediterranean
- 04-26-53 to 12-04-53 - CVG-4- - CVA 39 - F2H-2 - - Korea/West Pac/Med
- 07-07-54 to 12-20-54 - CVG-10 - CVA 43 - F2H-2 - - Mediterranean
- 08-13-56 to 02-11-57 - CVG-10 - CVA 43 - F9F-8B- - Mediterranean
- 08-07-59 to 02-26-60 - CVG-10 - CVA 9- - A4D-2 - - Mediterranean
- 09-06-60 to 10-20-60 - CVG-10 - CVA 38 - A4D-2 - - NorLant
- 02-02-61 to 05-15-61 - CVG-10 - CVA 38 - A4D-2 - - Mediterranean
- 02-07-62 to 08-28-62 - CVG-10 - CVA 38 - A4D-2 - - Mediterranean
- 10-01-63 to 05-23-64 - CVW-10 - CVA 38 - A-4C- - - Mediterranean
- 02-15-65 to 09-20-65 - CVW-10 - CVA 38 - A-4C- - - Mediterranean
- 03-11-66 to 10-26-66 - CVW-3- - CVA 60 - A-4C- - - Mediterranean
- 06-06-67 to 09-15-67 - CVW-17 - CVA 59 - A-4E- - - WestPac/Vietnam
- 06-04-68 to 02-08-69 - CVW-10 - CVS 11 - A-4E- - - WestPac/Vietnam
- 09-03-69 to 10-09-69 - CVW-7- - CVA 62 - A-4C- - - NorLant
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Photograph Albums:
Squadron Photograph Album
Squadron Off-Duty Album (empty)
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Events:
- January 2, 1945:
Bomber-Fighter Squadron SEVENTEEN (VBF-17) was established at Naval Air Station Agana,
Guam, a month before it entered combat. Personnel from VF-17 were the core of
the newly established Bomber-Fighter Squadron 17. The squadron was assigned the Grumman F6F-5 Hellcat.
- February 10, 1945 through June 13, 1945:
VBF-17 flying the F6F-5 Hellcat embarked on United States Ship Hornet CV 12, for combat in the Pacific war.
- February 16 & 17, 1945:
Bomber-Fighter Squadron SEVENTEEN operating from United States Ship Hornet CV 12, striking against targets in the Tokyo area.
- February 20 through 22, 1945:
Bomber-Fighter Squadron SEVENTEEN flew strikes against Iwo Jima and provided air support for the landings on the island.
- February 25, 1945:
Bomber-Fighter Squadron SEVENTEEN flew strikes in the Tokyo area.
- March 18 & 19, 1945:
Major strikes were conducted by VFB-17 aircraft against Kanoya, the largest airfield on Kyushu and against the Japanese Fleet anchored at Kure Naval Base. On March 19, Lieutenant Edwin S. Conant was awarded the Silver Star for his action as flight leader on a fighter sweep over Kure Bay. He shot down three planes during an engagement with the enemy and his flight group accounted for a total of 24 enemy planes downed and probably eight or more damaged.
- March 21, 1945:
Lieutenant Junior Grade Henry E. Mitchell became an Ace when he shot down five Betty twin engine bombers that were part of a sortie attacking the squadron's task force. Henry was later killed in action on April 3, 1945. For his action on March 21, LTJG Henry Mitchell was posthumously awarded the Navy Cross.
- March through May 1945:
Bomber-Fighter Squadron SEVENTEEN operating from United States Ship Hornet CV 12, flew strikes against Okinawa.
- April 6, 1945:
Ensign Harold Yeremain became an Ace when he added three more aircraft to his total by downing two Mitsubishi A6M Zeke Fighters, more commonly known as Zeros and an Aichi Val single engine carrier bomber during an engagement near Okinawa. Ensigns John J. Gafeney and William J. Kostik were awarded Silver Stars for their actions in shooting down three Japanese aircraft each during this engagement.
- April 7, 1945:
Bomber-Fighter Squadron SEVENTEEN flew in the combined task force strikes against the super battleship Yamato and its accompanying escorts, resulting in the sinking of Yamato, two cruisers and three destroyers.
- April 7, 1945:
Lieutenant Byron A. Eberts became an Ace when he brought his total to five by shooting down a Yokosuka Francis Japanese Navy Night Fighter.
- April 12 1945:
Lieutenant Edwin S. Conant became an Ace when he shot down a Mitsubishi A6M Zeke (Zero) and a Japanese Army Nakajima Tojo Fighter and brought his tally to six aircraft downed.
- April 14, 1945:
Ensigns Robert A. Clarke and William J. Kostik became Aces when they each shot down a Mitsubishi A6M Zeke (Zero).
- April 16, 1945:
Lieutenant John M. Johnston became an Ace when he shot down four Mitsubishi A6M Zekes (Zeros), bringing his total to eight aircraft. For John's action during this engagement he was awarded the Silver Star.
- May 1945:
Bomber-Fighter Squadron SEVENTEEN flew strikes against Kyushu and Shikoku, hitting aircraft plants and airfields.
- May 14, 1945:
Lieutenant Commander H. W. Nicholson, Bomber-Fighter Squadron SEVENTEEN's Commanding Officer, was killed in action during a strike against Kyushu.
- May 14, 1945:
Lieutenant Junior Grade Carl V. Stone became an Ace when he added two Japanese fighters to his total of downed aircraft.
- September 1945:
VBF-17 was assigned the Vought F4U Corsair I.
- November 15, 1946:
VBF-17 redesignated as Fighter Squadron SIX B (VF-6B).
- June 30, 1948:
VF-6B was assigned the Grumman F8F-2 Bearcat.
- July 28, 1948:
VF-6B redesignated as Fighter Squadron SIXTY-TWO (VF-62).
- August 3, 1950:
VF-62 was assigned the McDonnell F2H-2 Banshee.
- July 1, 1955:
VF-62 redesignated Attack Squadron ONE HUNDRED SIX (VA-106).
- October 1955:
VA-106 was assigned the Grumman F9F-8B Cougar.
- August 1956:
Following the nationalization of the Suez Canal by Egypt on July 26, the United States Ship Coral Sea CVA 43, with Attack Squadron ONE HUNDRED SIX aboard was ordered to the eastern Mediterranean as tensions increased and France and the United Kingdom began preparations for military action against Egypt.
- October and November 1956:
On October 29, Israel invaded Egypt and a day later France and the United Kingdom joined in the invasion, with the intent of reoccupying the Suez Canal. United States Ship Coral Sea CVA 43, with Attack Squadron ONE HUNDRED SIX aboard was on station in the eastern Mediterranean during the American evacuation of Western nationals from Egypt and Israel.
- June 4, 1958:
VA-106 was assigned the Douglas A4D-2 (A-4B) Skyhawk.
- Jan. 1959:
In One Hour, 46 Landings. VA-106 Smashes Intrepid Record.
From John Gabbard.
- July 1959:
During the NATO exercise Riptide, held off the east coast of the United States, Attack Squadron ONE HUNDRED SIX conducted cross deck operations with the British carrier HMS Victorious.
- November 15 through 28, 1960:
Following a request from Guatemala and Nicaragua, a Navy patrol was established off the coast of these Central
American countries to prevent infiltration by communists from Cuba. Attack Squadron ONE HUNDRED SIX operated
from United States Ship Shangri-La CVA 38, as part of the patrol force.
"Emergency Loading of CVG-10", from Otto Krueger's Cruise Book:
"Shangri-La, typical of our versatile Navy, was ordered to the Caribbean on less than twelve hour's notice,
to carry out an alert off the coast of Guatemala and Nicaragua. ADM Robert L. Dennison, Atlantic Fleet Commander,
acted quickly after President Eisenhower called for a show of force to stop communist aggression in that area.
Shangri-La was called in to serve as a means of asserting American policy and of reaffirming America's support
of the Monroe Doctrine. It was our "short of war" answer to the communists' "short of war tactics."
Details:
In 1960, it was a nite hop from Cecil Field to NAS Mayport (Jacksonville) on 11/14/60. Planes were hoisted
aboard USS Shangri-La (CVA-38). Steamed to Caribbean with flight ops in Caribbean and areas off Guantanamo,
Cuba from 11/18 'till 11/22/60, then back to Cecil on 11/26/60 ... flying 145011(what else?)!. During that
time, we conducted routine day/night flight ops ... show of force only ... for the folks in question. Logged
about 11 hours flt time and 5 arrested landings on Shangri-La.
AirWing 10 again loaded aboard Shangri-La at NAS Mayport on 6/1/61. Steamed to the Caribbean, operated
in & out of Guantanamo at NAS Leeward Point from the 6-3-61 to 6-29-61. From 6-29 to 7-16 we were
steadily at sea conducting airops, including live ordnance drops at Vieques & Culebra 14/15 June. On
the 18th of July we flew off the Shang and home to Navy Cecil. No notable events that I can recall ...
logbook shows I logged 41.4 hours flight time, 19 carrier landings ( including a couple nite landings).
Also 18 landings and 16 FCLP landings at Leeward Point during that time. No hostile shots fired ... We
were ready for Castro's folks, but nothing occurred. We stayed on our side of the fence ... they stayed on theirs!
The A-4 definitely was assigned to VA-106 throughout both these periods. I first flew with VA-106 on
April 25th, 1960. My first time in 145011 was May 11th ... a nite FCLP hop and my final flight in
the Little Scooter was on July 7, 1961, the last day in VA-106 before being detached with orders
to Naval War College, Newport, RI.
Captain Otto E.Krueger (ret.)
Additional remarks:
Memories, memories. I was with VA-43 and as a member of a detachment we
had left Mayport on the Shang for a week's worth of carqualin' in the
Caribbean when all this Guatemala episode began to unfold. We spent a
total of 36 hours aboard. The Shang turned around, we launched our
A-4s for Oceana and we steamed back to Mayport. Upon arrival we were met
by the entire air wing ready to hoist aboard. Wow!
John "Gabby" Gabbard
- June 2 through 19, 1961:
Following the assassination of the Dominican Republic's dictator, General Rafael Trujillo, VA-106 operated from Shangri-La off the coast of Dominica until the domestic situation stabilized.
- October 22 through November 28, 1962:
During the Cuban Missile Crisis VA-106 was assigned to the U.S. Air Force's 19th Tactical Air Force, in an alert status.
- May 1963:
Attack Squadron ONE HUNDRED SIX operated from United States Ship Shangri-La CVA 38, in the Caribbean during the period of unrest in Haiti and the civil strife with the Dominican Republic.
- July 8, 1967 through September 15, 1967:
Attack Squadron ONE HUNDRED SIX Gladiators flying the Douglas A-4E Skyhawk from the from United States Ship Forrestal CVA 59, deployed for their first of two WestPac/Vietnam combat cruises.
- July 29, 1967:
After four days on Yankee Station tragedy struck United States Ship Forrestal CVA 59. While aircraft were being prepared
for the second launch of the day against targets in Vietnam, a Zuni rocket was accidentally fired on the flight deck
causing a chain reaction of explosions among the aircraft loaded with bombs and fuel. Flames engulfed the fantail
and spread below decks touching off bombs and ammunition. Heroic efforts by VA-106 personnel, along with other
members of CVW-17 and ship's company, brought the fires under control. Damage to the carrier and aircraft was
severe and VA-106 lost eight men out of the 132 dead, two missing and presumed dead and 62 injured.
Those VA-106 killed were Petty Officers H. Fontenot, W. W. Stewart, R. N. Plesh, J. A. Earick and Airman C. R. Rich,
J. A. Velez, A. R. Metz and G. E. Wall. Numerous squadron personnel were cited for their acts of heroism during the
fire.
Eleven A-4E Skyhawks were lost in the fire: BuNo. 149996, BuNo. 150064, BuNo. 150068, BuNo. 150084, BuNo. 150115,
BuNo. 150118, BuNo. 150129, BuNo. 152018, BuNo. 152024, BuNo. 152036, and BuNo. 152040.
- June 4, 1968 through February 8, 1969:
Attack Squadron ONE HUNDRED SIX flying the A-4E Skyhawk from United States Ship Intrepid CVS 11, the second of
two combat cruises to WestPac/Vietnam.
- September 23, 1968:
Gladiator A-4E Skyhawk BuNo. 152091 was lost in an operational accident. The pilot, LCDR David F. Callahan was
killed.
- October 21, 1968:
Gladiator A-4E Skyhawk BuNo. 151160 AK 217 was shot down by anti aircraft fire over North Vietnam. The pilot,
Lieutenant K. K. Knabb is missing in action.
- November 7, 1969:
Attack Squadron ONE HUNDRED SIX (VA-106) was disestablished.
- April 27, 1984:
Strike Fighter Squadron ONE HUNDRED SIX (VFA-106) was established. The squadron's mission is the training of F/A-18 replacement pilots and maintenance personnel for east coast F/A-18 fleet squadrons.
- February 9, 1985:
Strike Fighter Squadron ONE HUNDRED SIX was assigned the McDonnell F/A-18A Hornet.
- October 7, 1985:
The first Replacement Pilot Class arrives at VFA-106 to begin training on the F/A-18 Hornet.
- 2005:
VFA-106 dedicates a new briefing room to the Skyhawk.
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Awards:
Award - - - - - - - - - Inclusive Dates:
- Pacific Unit Commendation
- Campaign Medal WW-II Asiatic-Pacific Area
- NAVE
- 07-01-49 to 06-30-50
- 07-01-55 to 06-30-56
- 07-01-59 to 06-30-60
- 07-01-65 to 12-31-66
- KPUC
- KSM
- VIETNAM SERVICE MEDAL
- 07-15-67 to 07-17-67
- 07-23-67 to 07-31-67
- 08-12-67 to 08-13-67
- 09-05-68 to 09-27-68
- 10-14-68 to 11-14-68
- 12-03-68 to 12-27-68
- NEM
- 06-03-61 to 06-11-61
- 06-14-61 to 06-18-61
- NUC
- MUC
Sources of squadron information:
- Harry S. Gann
- Takafumi Hiroe
- Otto Krueger
- Jack Woodul
Thanks for the help
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