VA-55
Warhorses
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Torpcat - 1943
Drawn by Bud Southworth |
VA-Torpcat - 1946
Drawn by Bud Southworth |
Torpcat |
Torpcat
David Weber |
Winged Seahorse - 1955
Drawn by Bud Southworth |
Winged Seahorse - 1969
David Weber |
Winged Seahorse - slightly different
Chief Fred Rhodes (ret.) |
Warhorse - 1983
From Jim Ritchie |
Yet another version |
Patch
- Torpedo Squadron FIVE's first patch, the "TORPCAT"
patch was used early in 1943. This patch was of a horned black cat,
grasping a rat, astride a torpedo.
- July 10, 1946, Torpedo Squadron FIVE designed a new
"TORPCAT" patch, that retained the cat and torpedo motif. The new
"TORPCAT" design was the face of a cat grasping a torpedo in its mouth.
The new "TORPCAT" patch was used by VT-5, VA-6A and VA-55 until
September 1955.
- On September 27, 1955 VA-55 had a new "Winged
Seahorse" patch approved. The "Winged Seahorse" patch has now became a
well-known design and was used until VA-55 was disestablished.
- 1969 while the Warhorses were engaged in combat this
version of the "Winged Seahorse" was used.
- On May 12, 1983 the re-established VA-55 adopted a
reverse image of the "Winged Seahorse" patch and added a banner at the
bottom with the identification "ATKRON-55."
- Back to Table of Contents
Handle
Heritage
- February 15, 1943, Torpedo Squadron FIVE (VT-5)
established from personnel of disestablished aviation squadron VGS-30.
- November 15, 1946, VT-5 redesignated as Attack
Squadron SIX A (VA-6A).
- August 16, 1948, VA-6A redesignated Attack Squadron
FIFTY FIVE (VA-55).
- December 12, 1975, VA-55 disestablished.
- Back to Table of Contents
Home Ports
- Feb 1943 - - - - - - Naval Air Station
Norfolk (Naval
Auxiliary Air Facility Pungo)
- Jul 1943 - - - - - - Hawaii
- May 1944 - - - - - - Naval Air Station Alameda
- Aug 1944 - - - - - - Naval Air Auxiliary Station
Monterey
- Oct 1944 - - - - - - Naval Air Auxiliary Station
Santa Rosa
- Feb 1945 - - - - - - Hawaii
- Apr 1945 - - - - - - Naval Air Station Seattle
- May 1945 - - - - - - Naval Air Station Klamath Falls
- Sep 1945 - - - - - - Naval Air Station Pasco
- Dec 1945 - - - - - - Naval Air Auxiliary Station
Brown Field, Chula Vista
- Mar 1946 - - - - - - Naval Air Station Barbers Point
- May 1946 - - - - - - Naval Air Station San Diego
- Mar 1952 - - - - - - Naval Air Station Miramar
- Jan 1962 - - - - - - Naval Air Station Lemoore
- Back to Table of Contents
Air Wings
- Feb 15, 1943 - S* - - - - - CVG-5
- Apr 23, 1951 - (X)† - - - - CVG-19
- May 29, 1951 - B- - - - - - CVG-19
- Sep 11, 1951 - W/NB‡- - - - ATG-2
- Apr 01, 1958 - NF - - - - - CVG-5
- Aug 18, 1958 - ND - - - - - ATG-4
- Jan 19, 1959 - NF - - - - - CVG-5/CVW-5§
- Jun 01, 1965 - NK - - - - - CVW-14
- Feb 05, 1968 - NP - - - - - CVW-21
- * December 12, 1946 the air group and squadron were
assigned the tail code S.
- † The squadron was assigned to Air Group 19X
(X-ray), an air group based in Japan that replaced squadrons in Air
Group 19 operating in Korean waters aboard the United States Ship
Princeton CV 37.
- ‡ On July 24, 1956 ATG-2 was assigned the tail code
letter W. The tail code was changed to NB in 1957.
- § On December 20, 1963 CVG-5 became CVW-5 when
Carrier Air Group designations were changed to Carrier Air Wings.
- Back to Table of Contents
Deployments
- 08/22/43 - 09/07/43 - CVG-5 - CV 10 - TBF-1
--
Pacific
- 09/27/43 - 10/11/43 - CVG-5 - CV 10 - TBF-1 --
Pacific
- 11/10/43 - 12/09/43 - CVG-5 - CV 10 - TBF-1C -
Pacific
- 01/16/44 - 05/11/44 - CVG-5 - CV 10 - TBF-1C --
Pacific
- 03/03/45 - 03/19/45 - CVG-5 - CV 13 - TBF-3 --
Pacific
- 03/31/47 - 06/16/47 - CVG-5 - CV 38 - TBM-3E/Q/J -
WestPac
- 05/01/50 - 12/01/50 - CVG-5 - CV 45 - AD-4/4Q -
WestPac/Korea
- 05/16/51 - 08/29/51 - CVG-19- CV 37 - AD-4/4Q/4W -
WestPac/Korea
- 06/16/52 - 02/06/53 - ATG-2 - CVA 9 - AD-4/4B -
WestPac/Korea
- 12/01/53 - 07/12/54 - ATG-2 - CVA 9 - AD-4/4B -
WestPac
- 04/01/55 - 11/23/55 - ATG-2 - CVA 47 - AD-6 - WestPac
- 04/06/57 - 09/18/57 - ATG-2 - CVA 19
- AD-6/7 - WestPac
- 08/21/58 - 01/12/59 - ATG-4 - CVA 20 - FJ-4B -
WestPac
- 03/06/60 - 10/11/60 - CVG-5 - CVA 14 - A4D-2 -
WestPac
- 05/10/61 - 01/15/62 - CVG-5 - CVA 14 - A4D-2 -
WestPac
- 07/25/62 - 09/17/62 - CVG-5 - CVA 64 - A4D-2 -
SoLant/West Coast
- 01/03/63 - 07/15/63 - CVG-5 - CVA 14 - A-4C - WestPac
- 04/14/64 - 12/15/64 - CVW-5 - CVA 14 - A-4E -
WestPac/Vietnam
- 12/10/65 - 08/26/66 - CVW-14 - CVA 61 - A-4E -
WestPac/Vietnam
- 04/29/67 - 12/04/67 - CVW-14 - CVA 64 - A-4C -
WestPac/Vietnam
- 07/18/68 - 03/03/69 - CVW-21 - CVA
19 - A-4F - WestPac/Vietnam
- 08/02/69 - 04/15/70 - CVW-21 - CVA 19 - A-4F -
WestPac/Vietnam
- 10/22/70 - 06/03/71 - CVW-21 - CVA 19 - A-4F -
WestPac/Vietnam
- 01/07/72 - 10/03/72 - CVW-21 - CVA 19 - A-4F -
WestPac/Vietnam
- 05/08/73 - 01/08/74 - CVW-21 - CVA 19 - A-4F -
WestPac/IO
- 03/18/75 - 10/20/75 - CVW-21 - CV 19 - A-4F - WestPac
Back to Table of Contents
Aircraft
Commanding Officers
- Feb 1943 - - - - - LCDR Richard Upson
- Apr 1944 - - - - - LT. Andrew C. Lett (acting)
- Jun 1944 - - - - - LCDR Allan C. Edmands
- May 1945 - - - - - LT. Charles H. Carr (acting)
- May 1945 - - - - - LCDR Tom B. Bash
- Aug 1945 - - - - - LT. John D. Cornwell (acting)
- Oct 1945 - - - - - LT. William L. Dodd (acting)
- Oct 1945 - - - - - LCDR Allard G. Russell
- Oct 1947 - - - - - LCDR William A. Rawls (acting)
- Dec 1947 - - - - - CDR Charles H. Crabill, Jr.
- Jan 1949 - - - - - LCDR Norman D. Hodson
- Jan 1951 - - - - - LCDR A. L. Maltby, Jr.
- Oct 1951 - - - - - LCDR L. W. Chick
- Feb 1953 - - - - - LCDR Jack T. Dowler
- Oct 1953 - - - - - LCDR R. J. Thompson
- Aug 1954 - - - - - CDR Jack T. Dowler
- Nov 1955 - - - - - CDR Franklin V. Bernhard
- Mar 1957 - - - - - CDR Billy D. Holder
- Feb 1958 - - - - - CDR D. H. Stinemates
- Feb 1959 - - - - - CDR J. E. McQuary
- Nov 1959 - - - - - CDR H. M. Richey
- Nov 1960 - - - - - CDR Lloyd F. Cooper
- Feb 1962 - - - - - CDR Earl F. Godfrey
- May 1963 - - - - - CDR E. J. Lawrence
- May 1964 - - - - - CDR H. Urban, Jr.
- May 1965 - - - - - CDR J. E. Krimmel
- Apr 1966 - - - - - CDR M. J. Chewning
- Jun 1966 - - - - - CDR R. E. Holt (acting)
- Aug 1966 - - - - - CDR R. E. Holt
- Oct 1967 - - - - - CDR Robert E. Kirksey
- Dec 1968 - - - - - CDR John F. Wellings
- Sep 1969 - - - - - CDR Frederick W. Lawler
- Mar 1970 - - - - - CDR Richard A. Hendricks
- Jun 1971 - - - - - CDR Maurice D. Fitzgerald
- Jun 1972 - - - - - CDR George J. Fenzil, Jr.
- Jun 1973 - - - - - CDR P. M. Feran
- Jun 1974 - - - - - CDR Almer C. Vold
- Back to Table of Contents
Events
- February 15, 1943:
VGS-30 was disestablished and personnel were used to form VT-5 and VF-1.
- March 1943:
VT-5 was assigned the Grumman TBF-1 Avenger.
- July 6 to 24, 1943:
VT-5 departed Norfolk embarked in United States Ship Yorktown CV 10,
enroute to Hawaii via the Panama Canal.
- August 31, 1943:
Embarked in United States Ship Yorktown CV 10, VT-5 participated in a
raid on Marcus Island.
- October 5 and 6, 1943:
VT-5 participated in a raid on Wake Island.
- November through December 1943:
VT-5 supported landings on Makin and Tarawa, in the Gilberts, and flew
strikes against Kwajalein in the Marshalls.
- January 1944:
VT-5 provided air support for the invasion of the Marshalls.
- February 16 to 17, 1944:
VT-5 aircraft flew strikes against the Japanese stronghold of Truk.
- February 22, 1944:
VT-5 participated in a raid on the Marianas, striking targets on
Saipan.
- March 30 and 31, 1944:
VT-5 aircraft struck ships and facilities at Palau in the Caroline
Islands. The strike on 30 March was the first time the squadron's TBFs
used torpedoes in combat.
- April 21 to 23, 1944:
VT-5 flew strikes against targets on Wake Island and Hollandia in New
Guinea. These operations were in support of the landings at Hollandia
by General Douglas MacArthur's forces.
- April 29, and 30, 1944:
VT-5 participated in another strike operation against Truk.
- April 30, 1944:
VT-5's commanding officer, Lieutenant Commander Dick Upson, failed to
return from a SAR mission to locate a downed pilot.
- May 14, 1944:
Following a ten-month combat tour beginning in August 1943, Air Group 5
was relieved aboard United States Ship Yorktown CV 10, by Air Group 1
and returned to CONUS to reform on 25 June 1944.
- February 07 to 13 February 1945:
VT-5 traveled from NAS Alameda to Hawaii, aboard the United States Ship
Franklin (CV 13).
- March 19, 1945:
VT-5 was preparing to launch its aircraft for an attack against the
city of Kobe, Japan, when the United States Ship Franklin CV 13, was
hit by two enemy bombs from a Japanese aircraft. Fires were ignited on
the second and third decks from the first bomb and the second triggered
munitions on the carrier. All VT-5's aircraft on the flight and hangar
deck were destroyed by the ensuing explosions and fire. The damage was
one of the most extensive experienced by an Essex class carrier during
World War II. A total of 724 men were killed and 265 wounded. VT-5's
commanding officer, Lieutenant Commander Edmands, was lost in the
action. All surviving VT-5 personnel were transferred from Franklin and
returned to CONUS.
- November 15, 1946:
VT-5 redesignated as Attack Squadron SIX A (VA-6A).
- August 16 1948:
VA-6A redesignated Attack Squadron FIFTY FIVE (VA-55).
- June 1949:
VA-55 was assigned the Douglas AD-1 Skyraider.
- July 3, 1950:
Participated in the first combat strikes by carrier aircraft against
the North Koreans. The squadron flew its AD-4 Skyraiders on strikes
against airfields, supply lines and transportation facilities in and
around Pyongyang, North Korea. This was also the first use of the AD
Skyraider in combat.
- September 12, 1950:
Pre-invasion strikes against targets in and around Inchon and Seoul,
Korea, began in preparation for the landing at Inchon.
- September 15, 1950:
Strikes were flown to support the landings at Inchon.
- May 16, 1951:
All VA-55 personnel, except 16 officers and 5 enlisted men, embarked
USNS General William Weigel (TAP 119) enroute to Japan for duty with
Air Group 19 aboard United States Ship Princeton CV 37. The remainder
of the personnel were airlifted to Japan on 17 May.
- May 29, 1951:
VA-55 embarked on United States Ship Princeton CV 37, replaced VA-195
in Air Group 19, and proceeded to Korea for combat operations.
- JUL 1952:
LT J.R. La Croix, USN while serving with the Warhorses aboard the USS Essex, CV-9. The airwing was deployed to the coast of Korea.
- March 1954:
The squadron was deployed to the Western Pacific aboard United States
Ship Essex (CVA 9) when the carrier was ordered to operate off the
coast of Vietnam during the Viet Minh's assault against the French at
Dien Bien Phu.
- July through September 1957:
Operated intermittently off the coast of Taiwan due to the build-up of
Chinese Communist forces and the threat of a possible invasion of
Taiwan or its off-shore islands.
- November 1957:
The War horses were assigned the North American FJ-4B Fury.
- September 1958:
Operated in the Formosa Straits during the Chinese Communist shelling
of Quemoy and Matsu.
- March 1959:
VA-55 was assigned the Douglas A4D-2 / A-4B Skyhawk.
- 1960 WestPac:
Warhorse XO CDR Samuel J. Brocato
was lost at sea when his A4D-2 Skyhawk was struck by a drop tank.
VF-51, flying F4Ds, were participating with VA-55 in a practice for an
airshow for President Eisenhower during his visit to Formosa. VF-51
picked off their drop tanks and they went through the VA-55 flight.
Charles B. Howard was on CDR Brocato's right wing when the incident
occurred.
Charles B. Howard - AUG 2006.
- October 30 and 31, 1962:
Participated in cross deck operations on HMS Victorious (R 38) in the
South China Sea.
- April 1963:
United States Ship Ticonderoga, with VA-55 embarked, deployed to the
South China Sea following several defeats of neutralist forces by the
Communists in Laos. After a cease-fire agreement was arranged, the ship
resumed normal Seventh Fleet operations on 5 May.
- April 14, 1964 to December 15, 1964:
VA-55 flying the A-4E Skyhawk deployed with CVW-5 to WestPac on United
States Ship Ticonderoga, CVS-14 for the Warhorses first combat cruise
to Vietnam.
- July through September 1964:
Participated in special Yankee Team operations involving missions over
Laos and South Vietnam.
- August 2 and 4, 1964:
The squadron flew air support for United States Ship Maddox (DD 731)
and United States Ship Turner Joy (DD 951) while the destroyers were on
Desoto Patrol missions (intelligence collection missions begun in 1962)
off the coast of North Vietnam.
- August 5, 1964:
VA-55's Skyhawks participated in operation Pierce Arrow, retaliatory
strikes against the North Vietnamese. Along with other aircraft from
CVG-5, they were part of the mission that struck the Vinh oil storage
facility. Ninety percent of the complex was destroyed.
- August 19, 1964:
Warhorse A-4E Skyhawk BuNo. 150033 was lost in an operational accident.
The pilot ejected and was recovered.
- October through November 1964:
The squadron continued to operate from United States Ship Ticonderoga
off the coast of South Vietnam and participated in special Yankee Team
operations, flying missions over South Vietnam.
- November 23, 1964:
Warhorse A-4E Skyhawk BuNo. 151037 was lost in an operational accident.
The pilot ejected and was recovered.
- December 10, 1965 to August 26, 1966:
VA-55 flying the A-4E Skyhawk deployed with CVW-14 to WestPac on United
States Ship Ranger, CVA-61 for the Warhorses second combat cruise to
Vietnam.
- January 25, 1966:
Warhorse A-4E Skyhawk BuNo. 152021 was lost in an operational accident.
The pilot ejected and was recovered.
- January 31, 1966:
Lieutenant Commander S. G. Chumley flying A-4E Skyhawk BuNo. 152066
side number NK 407 was shot down by AAA anti-aircraft over North
Vietnam. Commander S. G. Chumley ejected and was rescued.
- March 1, 1966:
Lieutenant Junior Grade D. J. Woloszyk flying A-4E Skyhawk BuNo. 152057
side number NK 401 was shot down over North Vietnam. Lieutenant Wolszyk
is missing-in-action.
- April 23, 1966:
Lieutenant Commander O. A. Gray flying A-4E Skyhawk BuNo. 152025 side
number NK 404 was shot down by AAA anti-aircraft over South Vietnam.
Commander Gray ejected and was rescued.
- April 30, 1966:
Lieutenant J. S. Buzby flying A-4E Skyhawk BuNo. 151145 side number NK
406 was shot down over Laos. Lieutenant Busby ejected and was rescued.
- May 2, 1966:
Lieutenant Commander W. S. Wood flying A-4E Skyhawk BuNo. 151034 side
number NK 412 was shot down over North Vietnam. Commander Wood was
Killed-In-Action.
- June 1, 1966:
Warhorse A-4E Skyhawk BuNo. 151057 was lost in an operational accident.
The pilot ejected and was recovered.
- June 3, 1966:
The squadron's commanding officer, Commander M. J. Chewning, while on a
mission over North Vietnam, lost the use of his left arm due to a
shrapnel hit. He continued his mission, striking a road target, and
then returned to the carrier, making a one-handed carrier landing. For
his exploits he was awarded the Silver Star and the Purple Heart.
- June 15, 1966:
Lieutenant Commander T. F. Kopfman flying A-4E Skyhawk BuNo. 152063
side number NK 403 was shot down by AAA anti-aircraft over North
Vietnam. Commander Kopfman ejected and was captured and made
Prisoner-Of-War by the North Vietnamese. Commander Kopfman was awarded
the Silver Star, in absentia, for his actions over North Vietnam. He
was released by North Vietnam and returned to the United States in 1973.
- July 15, 1966:
Lieutenant J. Connell
flying A-4E Skyhawk BuNo. 151024 side number NK 410 was shot down by
AAA anti-aircraft over North Vietnam. LT Connell ejected and was
captured and made Prisoner-Of-War by the North Vietnamese. LT Connell
was killed by the North Vietnamese while in captivity.
- July 24, 1966:
Lieutenant E. L. Foss flying A-4E Skyhawk BuNo. 150040 side number NK
415 was shot down by AAA anti-aircraft over North Vietnam. Lieutenant
Foss ejected and was rescued.
- April 29, 1967 to December 4, 1967:
VA-55 flying the A-4C Skyhawk deployed with CVW-14 to WestPac on United
States Ship Constellation CVA-64 for the Warhorses third combat cruise
to Vietnam. VA-55 did not lose any aircraft in combat this tour.
- August 2, 1967:
Warhorse A-4C Skyhawk BuNo. 149632 was lost in an operational accident.
LCDR William M. Shewchuk lost engine power after he was launched and
was forced to eject. He was recovered.
- July 18, 1968 to March 3, 1969:
VA-55 flying the A-4F Skyhawk deployed with CVW-21 to WestPac on United
States Ship Hancock, CVA-19 for the Warhorses fourth combat cruise to
Vietnam.
- September 23, 1968:
Lieutenant Commander D. H. Osborne flying A-4F Skyhawk BuNo. 155015
side number NP 507 was shot down by AAA anti-aircraft over North
Vietnam. Commander Osborne ejected and was captured and made
Prisoner-Of-War by the North Vietnamese.
- September 23, 1968:
Lieutenant D. J. Wright flying A-4F Skyhawk BuNo. 155011 side number NP
511 was shot down by AAA anti-aircraft over North Vietnam. Lieutenant
Wright ejected and was rescued.
- August 2, 1969 to April 15, 1970:
VA-55 flying the A-4F Skyhawk deployed with CVW-21 to WestPac on United
States Ship Hancock, CVA-19 for the Warhorses fifth combat cruise to
Vietnam.
- March 14, 1970:
Lieutenant Junior Grade P. A. Schranz flying A-4F Skyhawk BuNo. 155010
side number NP 501 was shot down by AAA anti-aircraft over Laos.
Lieutenant Schranz ejected and was rescued.
- October 22, 1970 to June 3, 1971:
VA-55 flying the A-4F Skyhawk deployed with CVW-21 to WestPac on United
States Ship Hancock, CVA-19 for the Warhorses sixth combat cruise to
Vietnam. VA-55 had no operational or combat losses this cruise.
- January 7, 1972 to October 3, 1972:
VA-55 flying the A-4F Skyhawk deployed with CVW-21 to WestPac on United
States Ship Hancock, CVA-19 for the Warhorses seventh combat cruise to
Vietnam.
- March 8, 1972:
Commander George J. Fenzi flying A-4F Skyhawk BuNo. 154205 side number
NP 502 was shot down by AAA anti-aircraft over Laos. Commander Fenzi
ejected and was rescued.
- April 1972:
The squadron participated in Operation Freedom Train, tactical air
sorties against military and logistic targets in the southern part of
North Vietnam. It also provided close air support for forces in South
Vietnam following a massive invasion by North Vietnam.
- May 1972:
Participated in the early phase of operation Linebacker I, heavy air
strikes against targets in North Vietnam.
- May 27, 1972:
Lieutenant T. B. Latendresse flying A-4F Skyhawk BuNo. 155048 side
number NP 512 was shot down by AAA anti-aircraft over North Vietnam.
Lieutenant Latendresse ejected and was captured and made
Prisoner-Of-War by the North Vietnamese.
- May 27, 1972:
Warhorse A-4F Skyhawk BuNo. 154197 NP 502 (replacement a/c for 502 lost
on 08 MAR 72 while flown by CDR Fenzil) was lost when Fenzil was forced
to eject when the fuel transfer system failed. Warhorse Commanding
Officer Fenzil was recovered, but no other aircraft was assigned side
number 502 while Fenzil was in command.
Charles H. Trotter AO2 VA-55 1970-73
- July 11, 1972:
Lieutenant Commander H. D. Lesesne flying A-4F Skyhawk BuNo. 155046
side number NP 501 was shot down by a surface to air missile over North
Vietnam. Commander Lesesne ejected and was captured and made
Prisoner-Of-War by the North Vietnamese.
- May 8, 1973 to January 8, 1974:
VA-55 flying the A-4F Skyhawk deployed with CVW-21 to WestPac on United
States Ship Hancock, CVA-19 for the Warhorses eighth combat cruise to
Vietnam.
- June 1973:
Missions were flown in support of Operation End Sweep, the clearing of
mines in the territorial waters of North Vietnam.
- October 1973:
With the outbreak of war between Israel, Egypt and Syria, the United
States Ship Hancock CVA 19, with VA-55 embarked, was directed to leave
Yankee Station and operate in the Arabian Sea and Gulf of Aden.
- December 12, 1975:
Attack Squadron
FIFTY-FIVE (VA-55) was disestablished at Naval Air Station
Lemoore.
- Back to Table of Contents
Awards
- NAVE
- 01 Jul 1948 to 30 Jun 1949
- 01 Jul 1949 to 30 Jun 1950
- 1965 and 1966
- AFEM
- 02 Aug 1964 to 05 Aug 1964
- 11 Aug 1964 to 22 Sep 1964
- 07 Oct 1964 to 29 Oct 1964
- 02 Nov 1964 to 06 Nov 1964
- 21 Nov 1964 to 28 Nov 1964
- 02 Dec 1968 to 04 Dec 1968
- 30 Oct 1969
- 03 Jan 1970 to 08 Jan 1970
- 22 Feb 1970 to 25 Feb 1970
- MUC
- 21 Aug 1969 to 31 Mar 1970
- 20 Nov 1970 to 07 Mar 1971
- NUC
- 02 Aug 1964 to 05 Aug 1964
- 10 Jan 1966 to 06 Aug 1966
- 18 May 1967 to 26 Nov 1967
- 01 Aug 1968 to 22 Feb 1969
- 08 Feb 1972 to 14 Sep 1972
- RVNGC
- 30 Mar 1972 to 15 Jul 1972
- VNSM
- 15 Jan 1966 to 12 Feb 1966
- 23 Feb 1966 to 22 Mar 1966
- 30 May 1966 to 30 Jun 1966
- 08 Jun 1967 to 11 Jun 1967
- 18 Jun 1967 to 25 Jul 1967
- 01 Aug 1967 to 03 Sep 1967
- 25 Sep 1967 to 15 Oct 1967
- 24 Oct 1967 to 12 Nov 1967
- 23 Aug 1968 to 04 Sep 1968
- 13 Sep 1968 to 15 Oct 1968
- 23 Oct 1968 to 28 Nov 1968
- 20 Dec 1968 to 15 Jan 1969
- 29 Jan 1969 to 10 Feb 1969
- 31 Aug 1969 to 24 Sep 1969
- 03 Oct 1969 to 27 Oct 1969
- 24 Nov 1969 to 17 Dec 1969
- 18 Jan 1970 to 11 Feb 1970
- 09 Mar 1970 to 26 Mar 1970
- 19 Nov 1970 to 08 Dec 1970
- 29 Dec 1970 to 15 Jan 1971
- 23 Jan 1971 to 31 Jan 1971
- 09 Mar 1971 to 10 Apr 1971
- 17 Apr 1971 to 04 May 1971
- 07 Feb 1972 to 09 Mar 1972
- 25 Mar 1972 to 02 May 1972
- 11 May 1972 to 01 Jun 1972
- 12 Jun 1972 to 14 Jul 1972
- 24 Jul 1972 to 17 Aug 1972
- 27 Aug 1972 to 14 Sep 1972
- PUC
- 31 Aug 1943
- 05 Oct 1943 to 06 Oct 1943
- 19 Nov 1943 to 05 Dec 1943
- 29 Jan 1944 to 23 Feb 1944
- 29 Mar 1944 to 30 Apr 1944
- Campaign Medal
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(Asiatic/Pacific)
- 05 Oct 1943 to 06 Oct 1943
- 19 Nov 1943 to 04 Dec 1943
- 29 Jan 1944 to 08 Feb 1944
- 16 Feb 1944 to 17 Feb 1944
- 21 Feb 1944 to 22 Feb 1944
- 30 Mar 1944 to 01 Apr 1944
- 21 Apr 1944 to 24 Apr 1944
- 29 Apr 1944 to 01 May 1944
- 17 Mar 1945 to 19 Mar 1945
KSM
- 27 Jun 1950 to 03 Nov 1950
- 29 May 1951 to 16 Aug 1951
- 26 Jul 1952 to 25 Jan 1953
UNSM
- 27 Jun 1950 to 03 Nov 1950
- 29 May 1951 to 16 Aug 1951
- 26 Jul 1952 to 25 Jan 1953
Back to Table of
Contents
Sources
- Harry S. Gann.
- Takafumi Hiroe.
- Michael Klaver.
- Jim Ritchie.
- David Weber.
- Chief Fred Rhodes (ret.)
- Don Bender
- Harry S. Gann
- Bob Krall
- George L. Landrum
- Tom Bispo
- Art Tarver
- Terence T. Finn
|
LCDR James Joseph Connell
July 15, 1966, VA-55, CVW-14, USS RANGER:
Lieutenant James Joseph Connell flying A-4E Skyhawk BuNo. 151024 side
number NK 410 was shot down by AAA anti-aircraft over North Vietnam. LT
Connell ejected and was captured and made Prisoner-Of-War by the North
Vietnamese. LCDR Connell was killed by the North Vietnamese while in
captivity.
His remains were repatriated 06 March 1974.
CITATION
FOR AWARD OF THE NAVY CROSS
to
JAMES JOSEPH CONNELL
Lieutenant Commander, United States Navy
For extraordinary heroism as a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam from
April 1968 to June 1969. Under constant pressure from the North
Vietnamese in their attempt to gain military information and propoganda
material, he experienced severe torture with ropes and was kept in
almost continuous solitary confinement. As they persisted in their
hostile treatment of him, he continued to resist by feigning facial
muscle spasms, incoherency of speech, and crippled arms with loss of
feeling in his fingers. The Vietnamese, convinced of his plight,
applied shock treatments in an attempt to improve his condition.
However, he chose not to indicate improvement for fear of further
cruelty. Isolated in a corner of the camp near a work area visited
daily by other prisoners, he established and maintained covert
communications with changing groups of POW's, thereby serving as a main
point of exchange of intelligence information. By his exceptional
courage, determination, and resourcefulness in this most difficult line
of resistance, he reflected great credit upon himslf and upheld the
highest traditions of the United States Naval Service and the United
States Armed Forces.
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