VA-44 Hornets


VA-3B - 1946
VA-44 - 1950
VA-44 Hornets - 1963


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:
  • Patches from: Otto Krueger, Tom Smith, Walt Adams and Bud Southworth.

  • VB-75's Bee patch was in use before August 1945.
    Patch colors were as follows: white background outlined in forest green; the head, arms, body and antenna of the bee were royal blue and the wings were light blue with royal blue vains; the V on the bee was yellow, his eyeball was white, eyelid light blue, and pupil black; deep scarlet nose, dark gray mouth with an inner lining of deep scarlet; white teeth and deep scarlet drops of blood; the bee's gloves were white; its lower body had bands of green and yellow with a deep scarlet tip; dark gray telescope with white highlights and a white lens, forest green bomb with yellow fins and the rocket had yellow fins and nose while the body was forest green; the banner was royal blue with yellow lettering.

  • After being redesignated Attack Squadron Three B (VA-3B) on November 15, 1946, a new indian head and bomb patch was initiated in August 1947. The indian head and bomb patch represented the bombing and scouting mission of the carrier based squadron.
    This patch is displayed above.

  • When the squadron was redesignated VA-44 in 1948 it adopted a patch with a scarlet chess knight centered on a white shield.

  • VF-44's Hornet patch was first used before December 1952 and approved by CNO on December 11, 1952. This patch was used by both VF-44 and VA-44.
    The patch had a blue shield with a yellow banner across the shield with the word "Hornets" in red. There are two white playing cards, one with four black clubs and the other with four red hearts - to identify the squadron's designation number. The Hornet is yellow and black with a red eye and white details.
    The Hornet patch is displayed above.

  • Note: During World War II, squadron numbers or designations were not permitted in patch design.
    Back to Table of Contents

Handle:
Aircraft:
Date Type First Received - - - - - - Type of Aircraft:
Heritage:
  • June 1, 1945, Bombing Squadron SEVENTY FIVE (VB-75) established.
  • November 15, 1946, VB-75 redesignated as Attack Squadron THREE B (VA-3B).
  • September 1, 1948, VA-3B redesignated as Attack Squadron FORTY FOUR (VA-44).
  • June 8, 1950, Attack Squadron FORTY FOUR (VA-44) was disestablished.
  • September 1, 1950, Fighter Squadron FORTY FOUR (VF-44) established.
  • January 1, 1956, VF-44 redesignated as Attack Squadron FORTY FOUR (VA-44).
  • May 1, 1970, VA-44 was disestablished.
    Back to Table of Contents

Commanders:
  • Date Assumed Command - - - - - - - Commanding Officer
  • June 1, 1945 - - - - - - LT Ben K. Harrison (acting)
  • June 10, 1945- - - - - - LCDR John W. McManus
  • December 20, 1946- - - - LCDR Elmer Maul
  • December 3, 1947 - - - - LCDR Oscar I. Chenoweth, Jr.
  • January 30, 1949 - - - - LT K. F. Rowell (acting)
  • February 28, 1949- - - - LCDR Robert N. Miller
  • September 1, 1950- - - - LCDR J. B. Bain (acting)
  • September 11, 1950 - - - LCDR P. E. Greenlee, Jr.
  • December 9, 1951 - - - - LCDR Reid W. Stone
  • November 10, 1952- - - - LCDR W. D. Houser
  • November 1953- - - - - - CDR V. P. O'Neil
  • October 1954 - - - - - - CDR C. A. Crow, Jr.
  • January 27, 1956 - - - - LCDR Theron J. Taylor
  • June 1957- - - - - - - - CDR T. R. Sedell
  • June 30, 1958- - - - - - CDR Clifford A. McDougal
  • July 14, 1959- - - - - - CDR Damon W. Cooper
  • July 22, 1960- - - - - - CDR A. L. Detweiler
  • July 21, 1961- - - - - - CDR W. B. Barrow, Jr.
  • April 17, 1962 - - - - - CDR M. C. Griffin
  • March 6, 1963- - - - - - CDR S. W. Callaway, Jr.
  • May 1964 - - - - - - - - CDR Harold K. Matthes
  • July 1965- - - - - - - - CDR Max E. Malan
  • September 22, 1966 - - - CDR James W. Roberts
  • October 1967 - - - - - - CDR Joe D. Adkins
  • February 1969- - - - - - CDR J. H. Wynn III
  • January 1970 - - - - - - CDR Robert E. Holt
    Back to Table of Contents

Home Ports:
  • Date - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Location:
  • June 1, 1945 - - - - - - - Naval Auxiliary Air Station Chincoteague
  • March 1946 - - - - - - - - Naval Air Station Norfolk
  • February 12, 1949- - - - - Naval Air Station Jacksonville
  • September 1, 1950- - - - - Naval Air Station Jacksonville
  • September 19, 1950 - - - - Naval Auxiliary Air Station Cecil Field
  • October 13, 1952 - - - - - Naval Air Station Jacksonville
  • February 18, 1963- - - - - Naval Air Station Cecil Field.
    Back to Table of Contents

Air Wings:
Date - - - - - - - - - - - - Tail code - - - - - - - Air Wing
  • June 1, 1945 - - - - - - F - - - CVBG-75/CVBG-3/CVG-4*
  • September 1, 1950- - - - F - - - CVG-4
  • March 19, 1951 - - - - - T - - - CVG-1
  • October 8, 1951- - - - - F - - - CVG-4
  • June 30, 1953- - - - - - - - - - ATG-1
  • October 9, 1953- - - - - F - - - CVG-4
  • 1957 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - COMFAIRJACKSONVILLE
  • February 15, 1958- - - - AQ- - - ATG-202
  • March 15, 1958 - - - - - AD- - - CVG-4/RCVG-4/RCVW-4**
  • * CVBG-75 was established on June 1, 1945, redesignated CVBG-3 on November 15, 1946; redesignated CVG-4 on September 1, 1948 and disestablished on June 8, 1950.
  • ** CVG-4 was redesignated RCVG-4 in April 1958. On December 20, 1963, RCVG-4 was redesignated RCVW-4
Back to Table of Contents
Deployments:
Departure & Return - - - - - - - - Air Wing - Carrier - Aircraft - - Area of Operations:
  • 01-08-46 to 03-19-46 - CVBG-75 - CVB 42 - SB2C-4E- - Caribbean/SoLant
  • 08-08-46 to 10-04-46 - CVBG-75 - CVB 42 - SB2C-5 - - Mediterranean
  • 09-13-48 to 01-23-49 - CVG-4 - - CVB 42 - AD-1 - - - Mediterranean
  • 01-06-50 to 05-23-50 - CVG-4 - - CVB 41 - AD-1 - - - Mediterranean
  • 03-20-51 to 10-06-51 - CVG-1 - - CVB 43 - F4U-5- - - Mediterranean
  • 04-19-52 to 10-12-52 - CVG-4 - - CVB 43 - F4U-4- - - Mediterranean
  • 04-26-53 to 12-04-53 - CVG-4/ATG-1* - CVA 39/CVA 21* - F4U-4 - Med/IO/ WestPac/Korea
  • 05-28-55 to 11-22-55 - CVG-4 - - CVA 11 - F2H-2- - - Mediterranean
  • 08-30-57 to 10-22-57 - † - - - - CVS 18 - F9F-8- - - NorLant
  • * VF-44 deployed to Korea as part of CVG-4 embarked in United States Ship Lake Champlain CVA 39 and conducted its first line period from Lake Champlain. On June 30, 1953, the squadron was transferred to ATG-1 aboard United States Ship Boxer CVA 21. The squadron remained aboard Boxer until October 9, 1953 when it transferred back to CVG-4 and Lake Champlain. † The carrier air group may not have been aboard during this deployment on United States Ship Wasp CVS 18. Antisubmarine carrier air groups were not established until 1960.
Back to Table of Contents
Photograph Albums:
Squadron Photograph Album
Squadron Off-Duty Album
Back to Table of Contents

Events:
  • June 1, 1945:
    Bombing Squadron SEVENTY FIVE (VB-75) established, its first assigned aircraft was the Curtiss SBF-4E Helldiver, which was built under license in Canada.

  • June 4, 1945:
    Bombing SEVENTY FIVE began its first flight operations.

  • January and February 1946:
    VB-75 deployed aboard United States Ship Franklin D. Roosevelt CVB 42 for her shakedown cruise to the Caribbean and Brazil. While visiting Rio de Janeiro the squadron, air group, and carrier represented the United States of America at the inauguration of Brazilian president, Eurico G. Dutra.

  • November 15, 1946:
    VB-75 was redesignated as Attack Squadron THREE B (VA-3B).

  • March 20, 1947:
    VA-3B received the Douglas AD-1 Skyraider.

  • September 1, 1948:
    Redesignated as Attack Squadron FORTY FOUR (VA-44).

  • February 25, 1949:
    VA-44 received the Douglas AM-1 Mauler.

  • June 8, 1950:
    Attack Squadron FORTY FOUR (VA-44) was disestablished.

  • September 1, 1950:
    Fighter Squadron FORTY FOUR (VF-44) was established with the Vought F4U-5 Corsair I.

  • June 13, 1953:
    VF-44 Hornets conducted their first combat operations, striking targets in Korea.

  • December 1953:
    VF-44 Hornets were assigned the McDonnell F2H-2 Banshee.

  • January 1, 1956:
    VF-44 Hornets were redesignated Attack Squadron FORTY FOUR (VA-44).

  • April 1956:
    VA-44 Hornets were assigned the Grumman F9F-8 Cougar.

  • September to October 1957:
    During the squadron's deployment aboard United States Ship Wasp CVS 18, its mission was temporarily changed from attack to a fighter role in order to provide air protection for the VS squadrons operating from the carrier.

  • February 4, 1958:
    VA-44 Hornets were assigned the Douglas A4D-1 (A-4A) Skyhawk.

  • June 1, 1958:
    The squadron's mission changed from light attack to a fleet replacement group (RAG) training squadron. The new mission involved flight training for pilots and maintenance training for enlisted personnel. Under this concept, pilots and enlisted personnel ordered to East Coast fleet A4D squadrons completed the course of instruction provided by VA-44 before reporting to their assigned fleet squadrons. The Hornets were assigned the Lockheed TV-2 Seastar and the North American T-28B Trojan.

  • June 6, 1958:
    Fleet All Weather Training Unit Detachment ALFA, an instrument training detachment, was disestablished and its personnel and aircraft were transferred to VA-44.

  • June 1958:
    VA-44 Hornets were assigned the North American T-28B Trojan.

  • August 8, 1958:
    The squadron graduated its first replacement pilot under the new training program for attack pilots.

  • September 1958:
    VA-44 Hornets were assigned the Douglas A4D-2/A-4B Skyhawk.

  • December 16, 1958:
    On Ensign Pat Patrick's sixth hop in an A-4A Skyhawk the engine of flamed-out and Pat tried to eject - the A4D-1 BuNo. 142172 (side number 325) story.

  • January 1959:
    The squadron's first Douglas AD-5 & 6 Skyraider arrived and preparations began for the additional mission of replacement training for this aircraft. The Hornets now instructed in the propeller driven SPAD and the jet powered Skyhawk.

  • February 21, 1959:
    Lieutenant Junior Grade Pat Patrick strikes again in another A-4A Skyhawk. The engine flamed-out and Pat ditched in a river - the A4D-1 BuNo. 142176 (side number 326) story.

  • November 15, 1961:
    The squadron graduated its 1,000th enlisted maintenance Skyhawk trainee.

  • February 15, 1963:
    The propeller training section of the squadron was removed from VA-44 and established as a separate squadron and designated VA-45. VA-44 continued its training mission by becomming a strictly jet squadron flying A-4Bs, A-4Cs and TF-9Js.

  • August 3, 1966:
    VA-44 was assigned the Douglas TA-4F Skyhawk.

  • May 1, 1970:
    VA-44 was disestablished!

    Back to Table of Contents

Awards:
    Award - - - - - - - - - Inclusive Dates:
  • KPUC
    • 09 June 1953 to 27 July 1953
  • KSM 09
    • June 1953 to 27 July 1953
  • UNSM

    Sources of information:
    • Walt Adams.
    • Harry S. Gann.
    • Masaaki Hayakawa.
    • Takafumi Hiroe.
    • Peter A. Keery.
    • Otto Krueger.
    • Tom Smith.

    Return To The Navy Squadrons Page