VSF-3 Chessmen
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"Boom" Powell. |
Made by
"Boom" Powell. |
Patch
Handle
Heritage
Home Ports
Air Wings
Deployments
Aircraft
- 19??: Douglas A-4A Skyhawk
- 19??: Douglas A-4B Skyhawk
- 142112 - 18 Dec 1966 - 15 Feb 1967
142113 - 07 Jan 1967 - 06 Feb 1967
142114 - 06 Jan 1967 - 18 Jun 1967
18 Jul 1967 - 03 Oct 1967
142116 - 15 Jan 1967 - 18 Jan 1968
142118 - 16 Jan 1967 - 06 Feb 1967
142126 - 07 Jul 1966 - 15 Jan 1968
142131 - 05 Jan 1967 - 30 Aug 1967
142140 - 06 Jan 1967 - 14 Jan 1968
142687 - 05 Jan 1967 - 18 Jan 1968
142733 - 21 Oct 1967 - 05 Jan 1968
142742 - 11 Jul 1967 - 26 Nov 1967
142772 - 17 Dec 1966 - 18 Jun 1967
15 Aug 1967 - 18 Jan 1968
142800 - 17 Jul 1966 - 18 Jan 1968
144889 - 01 Jul 1966 - 14 Mar 1967
144929 - 12 Jul 1966 - 09 Nov 1967
144956 - 21 Mar 1967 - 18 Jan 1968
144967 - 01 Jul 1966 - 03 Mar 1967
144989 - 01 Jul 1966 - 17 Mar 1966
21 Oct 1967 - 08 Jan 1968
145002 - 01 Jul 1966 - 02 Jul 1967
145029 - 03 Feb 1966 - 18 Jan 1968
145043 - 11 Nov 1966 - 17 Jan 1968
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Commanding Officers
Events
- The Anti-Submarine Fighter Squadron concept was to have a large squadron that provided
a detachment to each CVS (anti-submarine warfare) aircraft carrier. The VSF detachment was
to be responsible for CAP (Combat Air Patrol) over the CVS carrier. The VSF detachment was
also responsible for the light attack mission and on occasion to pass gas.
- 1 July 1966:
VSF-3 WAS COMMISSIONED. Anti-Submarine Fighter Squadron One -- VSF-1 was split in half:
One half remained as VSF-1 and deployed on the United States Ship Shangri-La -- CVS-38 to the Mediterranean.
The other half was called VSF-1 Det Alameda -- and VSF-1 Det Alameda was then renamed VSF-3 Chessmen.
 
Cdr. Leslie C. Hofto, USN - - - - - - - Cdr. G. E. LeBlanc Jr. USN
Commanding Officer - - - - - - - - - - - - Executive Officer
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VSF-3 deployed to WestPac on the USS Intrepid CVS-11, on 11 May 1967,
and returned to the United States on 30 December 1967. The combat line periods were:
21 June 1967 to 13 July 1967.
30 July 1967 to 27 August 1967.
15 September 1967 to 12 October 1967.
1 November 1967 to 23 November 1967.
- 2 July 1967, Lieutenant Junior Grade F. M. Kasch flying an A-4B Skyhawk was killed in action.
- 3 October 1967, Lieutenant Junior Grade A. D. Perkins in an A-4B Skyhawk,
AK-102, BuNo 142114, was lost to AAA in North Vietnam. Lieutenant Junior Grade Perkins was recovered.
Photograph from John W. Hays
- 9 February 1968:
VSF-3 Chessmen were disbanded. Assets and some personel were transfered to the VA-152 Fighting Aces.
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Awards
This Skyhawk Association website is dedicated to:
AIR MEDAL
On Tuesday, July 2, 1967, Lieutenant Fredrick Morrison Kasch was flying a Douglas A-4B Skyhawk,
AK-112, bureau number 145002, from the USS Intrepid (CVS-11) carrier on Yankee Station.
Lieutenant Kasch was killed after being hit by AAA fire while attacking a target in North
Vietnam.
Photograph from Jacki Lomangino
Lieutenant Kasch was 26 years old at the time of his death. Fredrick's remains were
repatriated in 1989 and he rests in Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery in San Diego California.
Photograph from John W. Hays
Lieutenant Fredrick Morrison Kasch is remembered on "The Wall" panel 22E, line 106.
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Sources
- Bud Southworth
- John W. Hays
- "Boom" Powell
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