VA-152
Fighting Aces / Mavericks
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VF-152 Vultures - 1951
Bob Stanek |
VF-152 Fighting Aces - 1952
Bob Stanek |
VA-152 Fighting Aces - 1968
John W. Hayes |
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VA-152 Mavericks 1970
Ernie Shuldhiess |
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Patch
- VA-152/VF-152's first insignia, the "Hooded Falcon"
was in use before 1951.
Anyone out there have this patch?
The crest had a white and black background and was outlined in gold.
The falcon was brown with white and light brown shadings; yellow feet
and beak; the hood was crimson red with a gold edge and a white plume.
The gauntlet was silver edged in blue with gray shadings.
- A second patch, the "Vulture Carrying a Bomb"
appeared before 1952. The "Vulture Carrying a Bomb" patch is
illustrated above.
- VA-152's third crest is the "Flying Ace of Spades."
This patch appeared sometime before 1951 and was used until January 29,
1971, when VA-152 was disestablished.
This patch was based upon Korean War Squadron experience. The
Squadron's mission was close air support - by the end of the Korean
deployment every squadron aircraft had be hit by enemy fire. Three
VF-152 pilots lost their lives in the Korean combat. The lives of these
three pilots is venerated in the patch design in the form of three
drops of blood emanating from the spade that has been pierced by the
arrow.
Two Versions of "Flying Ace of Spades" patch is illustrated above.
- An unofficial fourth patch, the "Maverick Cow"
appeared in 1970. The "Maverick Cow" patch is illustrated above.
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Handle
- Falons - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - World
War II
- Vultures - - - - - - - - - - - - - - post World War
II
- Fighting Aces - - - - - - - - - - - - 1952 to 1971
- The Friendly Squadron (Friendlies) - 1957 to 1968
- The 152 Light Bombardment Brigade - - 1968 to 1971
- Twilight Pursuit Squadron - - - - - - 1968 to 1971
- Mavericks - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 1970
- Back to Table of Contents
Heritage
- Fighter Squadron ONE HUNDRED FIFTY-TWO was
established in 1943.
- Fighter Squadron ONE HUNDRED FIFTY-TWO was
disestablished October 1945.
- Fighter Squadron ONE HUNDRED FIFTY-TWO was
re-established in 1946.
- Fighter Squadron ONE HUNDRED FIFTY-TWO was
disestablished October 1949.
- Reserve Fighter Squadron SEVEN HUNDRED THIRTEEN
(VF-713) was established sometime in the late 1940s.
- February 1, 1951, Reserve Fighter Squadron SEVEN
HUNDRED THIRTEEN was called to active duty.
- February 4, 1953, was redesignated as VF-152 -
Fighter Squadron ONE HUNDRED FIFTY-TWO.
- August 1, 1958, was redesignated as VA-152 - Attack
Squadron ONE HUNDRED FIFTY-TWO.
- February 9, 1968, VSF-3 Chessmen were disestablished
and assets transferred to the VA-152 Mavericks.
- January 29, 1971, VA-152 - Attack Squadron ONE
HUNDRED FIFTY-TWO was disestablished.
- Back to Table of Contents
Home Ports
- Prior to 1951: - - - - - - - Naval Air
Station Denver
- April 11, 1951 - - - - - - - Naval Air Station
Alameda
- June 5, 1952 - - - - - - - - Naval Air Station
Moffett Field
- November 1963- - - - - - - - Naval Air Station
Alameda
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Air Wings
- April 11, 1951 - - - - - - H- - - - - -
CVG-15
- October 14, 1957 - - - - - ND - - - - - ATG-4
- February 1959- - - - - - - NL - - - - - CVG-15 /
CVW-15*
- October 1, 1964- - - - - - AH - - - - - CVW-16
- February 1968- - - - - - - AA - - - - - CVW-17
- April 1969- - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
COMFAIRALAMEDA
- December 1969- - - - - - - AJ - - - - - CVW-8
- *CVG-I5 was redesignated CVW-16 when Carrier Air
Groups (CVG were redesignated Carrie Air Wings (CVW) on December 20,
1963.
- Back to Table of Contents
Deployments
- 1943 - 1945- - - - - - CVG-15 - Essex CV 9
- - - - -
F6F- - - Pacific
- 1946 - 1949- - - - - - CVG-15 - Boxer CV 21- - - - -
F8F- - - Pacific
- 1946 - 1949- - - - - - CVG-15 - Valley Forge CV 45 -
F8F- - - Pacific
- 09-08-51 to 05-02-52 - CVG-15 - Antietam CV 36 - - -
F4U-4- - Korea
- 01-24-53 to 09-21-53 - CVG-15 - Princeton CVA 37 - -
F4U-4- - Korea/WestPac
- 07-01-54 to 02-28-55 - CVG-15 - Yorktown CVA 10- - -
F2H-3- - WestPac
- 04-23-56 to 10-15-56 - CVG-15 - Wasp CVA 18- - - - -
F2H-3- - WestPac
- 01-06-58 to 06-30-58 - ATG-04 - Hornet CVA 12- - - -
F2H-3- - WestPac
- 08-21-58 to 01-12-59 - ATG-04 - Bennington CVA 20- -
F2H-3 - -WestPac
- 08-01-59 to 01-18-60 - CVG-15 - Hancock CVA 19 - - -
AD-6 - - WestPac
- 09-19-60 to 05-27-61 - CVG-15 - Coral Sea CVA 43 - -
AD-6 - - WestPac
- 12-12-61 to 07-17-62 - CVG-15 - Coral Sea CVA 43 - -
AD-6 - - WestPac
- 04-03-63 to 11-25-63 - CVG-15 - Coral Sea CVA 43 - -
A-1H/J - WestPac
- 04-22-64 to 08-01-64 - * - - - - * - - - - - - - - -
A-1H/J - South Vietnam
- 04-05-65 to 12-16-65 - CVW-16 - Oriskany CVA 34- - -
A-1H/J - WestPac/Vietnam
- 05-26-66 to 11-16-66 - CVW-16 - Oriskany CVA 34- - -
A-1H - - WestPac/Vietnam
- 06-16-67 to 01-31-68 - CVW-16 - Oriskany CVA 34- - -
A-1H/J - WestPac/Vietnam
- 07-22-68 to 04-29-69 - CVW-17 - Forrestal CVA 59 - -
A-4B - - Mediterranean
- 03-05-70 to 12-17-70 - CVW-08 - Shangri-La CVS 38- -
A-4E - - WestPac/Vietnam
- *The squadron, along with 20 of its A-1s, was sent to
Bien Hoa Air Force Base, South Vietnam, to train South Vietnamese
pilots to fly the A-1. A detachment, VA-152 Det Zulu, was left at Naval
Air Station Alameda. While operating in South Vietnam the squadron came
under the control of Chief, Air Force Advisory Group, Saigon. On August
1, 1964 the squadron (VA-152) based at Bien Hoa was redesignated VA-152
Det Zulu and the detachment at Naval Air Station Alameda was designated
VA-152. VA-152 Det Zulu continued to train South Vietnamese pilots
until December 1, 1964
- Back to Table of Contents
Aircraft
Commanding Officers
- February 1, 1951 - - - - - - - LCDR Robert
L. Doering
was Commanding Officer of Reserve Fighter Squadron SEVEN HUNDRED
THIRTEEN prior to activation.
- May 2, 1952- - - - - - - - - - LCDR B. M. Richards
- July 4, 1952 - - - - - - - - - LT W. M. Doss (acting)
- August 5, 1952 - - - - - - - - LCDR Robert Stanek
- September 1953 - - - - - - - - CDR Frank G. Edwards
- Late 1954 or early 1955- - - - LCDR F. X. Bushner
(acting)
- April 1955 - - - - - - - - - - LCDR Robert G. Nester
- September 27, 1956 - - - - - - CDR Robert M. Soule
- July 23, 1958- - - - - - - - - CDR Royce A. Singleton
- February 16, 1959- - - - - - - LCDR V. E. Sanderson
- February 8, 1960 - - - - - - - LCDR R. M. Sullivan
(acting)
- March 4, 1960- - - - - - - - - CDR John A. Davenport
- June 21, 1961- - - - - - - - - CDR John R. Bicknell
- April 17, 1962 - - - - - - - - CDR Isaac N. Pell, Jr.
- April 1, 1963- - - - - - - - - CDR R. B. Bergner
- March 19, 1965 - - - - - - - - CDR Albert E. Knutson
- March 16, 1967 - - - - - - - - CDR Gordon H. Smith
- February 14, 1968- - - - - - - CDR Philip E. Johnson
- January 17, 1969 - - - - - - - CDR Elmer E. Sheeley, Jr.
- January 28, 1970 - - - - - - - CDR Gerard M. Sturm
- Back to Table of Contents
Events
- 1943:
Fighter Squadron ONE HUNDRED FIFTY-TWO established at Naval Air Station
Denver.
- 1943 - 1945:
VF-152 was part of Cdr. David McCampball's "Fabulous Fifteen," in the
Pacific war against Japan. VF-152 participated in the famous "Marianas
Turkey Shoot" where Navy pilots shot down 402 Japanese aircraft. VF-152
flying the Grumman F6F Hellcat was part of Navy strikes against Wake
Island, Marcus Islands, Philippines Islands, Palau Island, Ryukyus
Islands, Formosa, and the Bonin Islands.
- October 15, 1951 to May 2, 1952:
VF-713 was activated as VF-152 flying the Vought F4U-4 Corsair. The
"Vultures" participated in Korean combat operations based aboard the
United States Ship Antietam CV-36.
- January 24, 1953 to September 21, 1953:
The Squadron took the name of "The Fighting Aces" and deployed with
their Goodyear F4U-4 Corsairs to the Korean War, this time aboard the
United States Ship Princton CVA-37.
- February 1955:
Squadron aircraft flew night surveillance operations from the "Fighting
Lady the United States Ship Yorktown CVA-10 supporting the evacuation
of Chinese Nationalists from the Tachen Islands.
- March 1958:
Due to revolts and unsettled conditions in Indonesia and the concern
for the safety of Americans in the country, United States Ship Hornet
CVA 12 with the VF-152 Friendlies embarked, departed Hong Kong to
operate in the South China Sea.
- September through October 1958:
Due to the crisis between the Chinese Nationalists and Communists
surrounding the Quemoy Islands, and the bombardment of these islands by
the Chinese Communists, CVA 20, the United States Ship Bennington, with
VF-152 embarked, operated in the area of Taiwan.
- January 1961:
Due to the crisis in Laos and the capture of strategic positions in the
country by the Pathet Lao force, United States Ship Coral Sea CVA 43,
with VA-152 embarked, was directed to operate in the South China Sea.
- July 11 & 12, 1962:
The Friendlies participated in the first carrier flight operations in
the Bering Sea since the end of World War II.
- April 22 through December 1, 1964:
VA-152 with 20 of A-1H and A-1J Skyraiders, was sent to Bien Hoa Air
Force Base, South Vietnam, to train South Vietnamese pilots to fly the
Skyraider. A detachment, VA-152 Det Zulu, was left at Naval Air Station
Alameda. While operating in South Vietnam the Squadron came under the
control of Chief, Air Force Advisory Group, Saigon. On August 1, 1964
the squadron (VA-152) based at Bien Hoa was redesignated VA-152 Det
Zulu and the detachment at Naval Air Station Alameda was designated
VA-152. VA-152 Det Zulu continued to train South Vietnamese pilots
until December 1, 1964.
Comments by Dave Fox.
- April 5 to December 16, 1965:
the Friendlies with A-1H and A-1J Skyraiders embarked with CVW-16 on
United States Ship Oriskany CVA 34 to the South China Sea near Vietnam.
Patch from Dave Fox
- November 6 & 7, 1965:
Commander Gordon H. Smith was awarded the Silver Star for his
participation as Flight Leader in directing and assisting in the first
night rescue of a downed aviator in enemy territory on 6 November. This
was followed by an attempt to rescue another aviator the following day
in the same area.
- November 7, 1965:
Lieutenant Gordon C. Wileen was awarded the Silver Star for his
participation in an attempted air rescue of a downed aviator deep in
enemy territory.
- November 13, 1965:
Commander Albert E. Knutson was awarded the Silver Star for his attempt
to locate and rescue a downed pilot in enemy territory. During the
rescue attempt his aircraft sustained 26 hits.
- May 26 to November 16, 1966:
VA152 with A-1H Skyraiders embarked with CVW-16 on United States Ship
Oriskany CVA 34 to the South China Sea near Vietnam.
- October 26, 1966:
While on Yankee Station and preparing to launch her first strike of the
day United States Ship Oriskany CVA 34 suffered a disastrous fire on
the starboard side of the forward hangar bay. The squadron lost two
personnel in the fire and the damage to the carrier was so extensive
that it returned to the States for repairs.
- June 16, 1967 to January 31, 1968:
The Friendlies with A-1H and A-1J Skyraiders embarked with CVW-16 on
United States Ship Oriskany CVA 34 to the South China Sea near Vietnam.
- VA-152 had been a A-1 Skyraider squadron. I don't
know how many pilots made the transition to the A-4, but George Fenzl
told me that at one point in Alameda 152 had a mix of A-1s, A-4B's and
A-4E's. George was with me in VSF-3. VSF-3 only made one deployment and
the personnel scattered with many going to VA-152. I have annotated the
ones I know from VSF-3. Phil Johnson (XO?) was also VSF, but had stayed
in VSF-1 when they deployed in Shangri la.
Boom Powell
- February 1968:
The VA-152 Friendlies were assigned a mixed bag of Douglas A-4B Skyhawk
and Douglas A-4C Skyhawk aircraft.
- May 1969:
VA-152 replaced the A-4B and A-4C Skyhawks with Douglas A-4E Skyhawks.
- January 29, 1971:
Attack Squadron ONE HUNDRED FIFTY-TWO (VA-152) disestablished.
- Back to Table of Contents
Awards
- Presidential Unit Citation
- Korean Service Medal
- 10-04-51 to 04-15-52
- 02-27-53 to 05-16-53
- 05-29-53 to 09-07-53
- Navy Unit Commendation
- 03-13-53 to 05-15-53
- 06-11-53 to 07-27-53
- 05-10-65 to 12-06-65
- 06-12-66 to 11-01-66
- 07-14-67 to 12-12-68
- AFEM
- 11-24-58 to 12-03-58
- 09-14-59 to 09-17-59
- 04-25-61 to 04-28-61
- 04-30-61 to 05-01-61
- 05-04-61 to 05-09-61
- 01-12-62 to 01-19-62
- 01-24-62 to 01-27-62
- 04-22-64 to 07-31-64
- 05-07-65 to 06-02-65
- 06-10-65 to 07-03-65
- 09-17-65 to 09-18-65
- AFEM (VA 152 Det Z)
- MUC
- VIETNAM SERVICE MEDAL
- 07-04-65 to 07-18-65
- 08-09-65 to 09-11-65
- 10-28-65 to 11-27-65
- 07-06-66
- 08-07-66 to 09-08-66
- 09-24-66 to 10-26-66
- 04-10-70 to 05-02-70
- 05-12-70 to 05-29-70
- 06-13-70 to 07-04-70
- 07-28-70 to 08-19-70
- 08-30-70 to 09-30-70
- 10-20-70 to 11-07-70
- RVNGC
Sources
- Jack Cain
- Harry S. Gann
- Warren A. Harms
- Masaaki Hayakawa
- John W. Hayes
- Takafumie Hiroe
- Ernie Shuldhiess
- Bob Stanek
- Dave Fox
- Gary Verver
- David Sheeley
- "Boom" Powell
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