The VA-94 Mighty Shrikes
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VB-20 Bombing Twenty's Tough Kitty - 1943
Courtesy an Jacobs - Tailhook Association
VF-94 Tough Kitty - 1952
Drawn by Bud Southworth
VF-94 Tough Kitty - 1955
Courtesy Jan Jacobs - Tailhook Association

VA-94 Shrike - 1959
Drawn by Bud Southworth
VA-94 Mighty Shrike - 1965
Courtesy Otto Krueger
VFA-94 Mighty Shrike - 1990
Courtesy Otto Krueger

This web page is posthumously dedicated to
LCDR Mark Tiderman, USN
and
LT Frank Compton, USN.
Please read about them below.

Patch
  • Bombing Twenty's Tough Kitty patch was in use before December 1943. This patch is displayed above.
  • The "Tough Kitty" was VF-94's patch being used before and during the 1954 world cruise on United States Ship Hornet CVA-12. This patch is displayed above.
  • The "Tiger Paw" design was the third patch and it was used from November 21, 1955 until April 1959. This patch is displayed above.
  • The "Atom Electrons" design was the fourth patch and it was used from April 21, 1959 until 1965. This patch is displayed above.
  • The "Shrike" was the fifth patch; it was designed by Otto Krueger and Irish Swarzenbach. This patch was used from 1965 to the present. This patch is displayed above.
  • The "Shrike" design scroll was modified on September 14, 1990 to "Strike Fighter Squadron 94." This patch is displayed above.

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Handle
  • Bombing Twenty's Tough Kitty, 1943 to 1946
  • Mighty Shrikes, 1959 to present.
  • SQUADRON RADIO CALL SIGN:
    • Hoboken

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Heritage
  • July 1, 1943, Bombing Squadron NINETY NINE (VB-99) established.
  • October 15, 1943, VB-99 was redesignated Bombing Squadron TWENTY (VB-20).
  • November 15, 1946, VB-20 was redesignated Attack Squadron NINE A (VA-9A).
  • August 12, 1948, Va-9A was redesignated Attack Squadron NINETY FOUR (VA-94).
  • November 30, 1949, Attack Squadron NINETY FOUR disestablished.
  • March 26, 1952, Fighter Squadron NINETY FOUR (VF-94) re-established.
  • August 1, 1958, VF-94 was redesignated Attack Squadron NINETY FOUR VA-94.
  • June 28, 1990, the VA-94 Mighty Shrikes were redesignated as VFA-94 - Strike Fighter Squadron NINETY FOUR.

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Home Ports
    Date - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Location:
  • July 1, 1943 - - - - - - Naval Air Station San Diego
  • April 21, 1944*- - - - - Naval Air Station Kaneohe
  • April 30, 1944*- - - - - Naval Air Station Barbers Point
  • June 17, 1944* - - - - - Naval Air Station Puunene
  • February 23, 1945- - - - Naval Air Station San Diego
  • April 16, 1945 - - - - - Naval Air Station Wildwood
  • June 22, 1945- - - - - - Naval Air Station Edenton
  • November 1, 1945 - - - - Naval Auxiliary Air Station Elizabeth City
  • March 1, 1946- - - - - - Naval Auxiliary Air Station Charlestown
  • March 26, 1952 - - - - - Naval Air Station Alameda
  • January 1955 - - - - - - Naval Air Station Moffett
  • August 20, 1958- - - - - Naval Air Station Alameda
  • March 8, 1962- - - - - - Naval Air Station Lemoore
  • * Temporary shore assignment while the squadron conducted training in preparation for combat deployment.

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Air Wings
    Date - - - - - - - - - - - - Tail code - - - - - - - Air Wing
  • October 15, 1943 - - - - - - - PS/D**- - - - CVG-20/CVAG-9/CVG-9*
  • March 26, 1952 - - - - - - - - N - - - - - - CVG-9
  • 1955 - - - - - - - - - - - - - Z - - - - - - ATG-4
  • July 1, 1957 - - - - - - - - - ND- - - - - - ATG-4
  • August 1, 1958 - - - - - - - - NG- - - - - - CVG-9/CVW-9
  • July 1, 1966 - - - - - - - - - NF- - - - - - CVW-5
  • November 1970 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - COMFAIRLEMOORE
  • January 2, 1971- - - - - - - - NL- - - - - - CVW-15
  • January 18, 1982 - - - - - - - NH- - - - - - CVW-11
  • * Established as CVG-20 on October 15, 1943. Redesignated CVAG-9 on November 15, 1946. CVAG-9 redesignated CVG-9 on September 1, 1948. CVG-9 was disestablished on December 1, 1949.
  • ** In 1946 the tail code PS was assigned to Philippine Sea CV 47, and CVG-9. In 1948 the tail code for CVG-9 was changed to D.

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Deployments
    Departure & Return - - - - - - - - Air Wing - Carrier -Aircraft - - Area of Operations:
  • 08-16-44 to 11-23-44 - CVG-20- CV 6*- - SB2C-3 - Pacific - combat
  • 11-23-44 to 02-02-45 - CVG-20- CV 16**- SB2C-3 - Pacific - combat
  • 02-09-48 to 06-26-48 - CVAG-9- CV 47- - SB2C-5 - Caribbean/Mediterranean
  • 12-15-52 to 08-14-53 - CVG-9 - CVA 47 - F4U-4 -- Western Pacific/Korea combat
  • 05-11-54 to 12-12-54 - CVG-9 - CVA 12 - F9F-5 -- World Cruise
  • 03-19-56 to 09-13-56 - ATG-4 - CVA 10 - F9F-8B - Western Pacific
  • 01-06-58 to 06-30-58 - ATG-4 - CVA 12 - FJ-3M -- Western Pacific
  • 02-06-60 to 08-30-60 - CVG-9 - CVA 61 - A4D-2 -- Western Pacific
  • 08-11-61 to 03-08-62 - CVG-9 - CVA 61 - A4D-2N - Western Pacific
  • 11-09-62 to 06-14-63 - CVG-9 - CVA 61 - A-4C - - Western Pacific
  • 08-05-64 to 05-06-65 - CVW-9 - CVA 61 - A-4C - - Vietnam - combat
  • 10-26-65 to 06-21-66 - CVW-9 - CVAN 65- A-4C - - Vietnam - combat
  • 01-05-67 to 07-22-67 - CVW-5 - CVA 19 - A-4C - - Vietnam - combat
  • 01-27-68 to 10-10-68 - CVW-5 - CVA 31 - A-4E - - Vietnam - combat
  • 03-18-69 to 10-29-69 - CVW-5 - CVA 31 - A-4E - - Vietnam - combat
  • 04-02-70 to 11-12-70 - CVW-5 - CVA 31 - A-4E - - Vietnam - combat
  • 11-12-71 to 07-17-72 - CVW-15- CVA 43 - A-7E - - Vietnam - combat
  • 03-09-73 to 11-08-73 - CVW-15- CVA 43 - A-7E - - Western Pacific
  • 12-05-74 to 07-02-75 - CVW-15- CVA 43 - A-7E - - Western Pacific
  • 02-15-77 to 10-05-77 - CVW-15- CV 43- - A-7E - - Western Pacific
  • 05-30-79 to 02-25-80 - CVW-15- CV 63- - A-7E - - Western Pacific/IO
  • 04-01-81 to 11-23-81 - CVW-15- CV 63- - A-7E - - Western Pacific/IO
  • 09-01-82 to 04-28-83 - CVW-11- CVN 65 - A-7E - - NorPac/ Western Pacific/IO
  • 05-30-84 to 12-20-84 - CVW-11- CVN 65 - A-7E - - Western Pacific/IO/ NorPac
  • 01-12-86 to 08-13-86 - CVW-11- CVN 65 - A-7E - - Western Pacific/Mediterranean/SoLant
  • 10-25-87 to 11-24-87 - CVW-11- CVN 65 - A-7E - - NorPac
  • 01-05-88 to 07-03-88 - CVW-11- CVN 65 - A-7E - - Western Pacific/IO/NorPac
  • 09-17-89 to 03-16-90 - CVW-11- CVN 65 - A-7E - - World Cruise
  • * The squadron transferred from Enterprise CV 6, to Lexington CV 16, and remained deployed in the Pacific.
  • ** The squadron completed its combat tour in the Pacific and transferred from Lexington CV 16, to Kwajalein CVE 98, for transportation back to the United States.

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Aircraft
Commanding Officers
    Date Assumed Command - - - - - - - Commanding Officer
  • July 1943 - - - - - - - LCDR Louis J. Kirn
  • November 10, 1943 - - - LCDR Robert E. Riera
  • November 10, 1944 - - - LCDR Raymond E. Moore
  • April 16, 1945- - - - - LT James S. Cooper (acting)
  • April 19, 1945- - - - - LT James S. Cooper
  • June 5, 1947- - - - - - LCDR Lawrence G. Traynor
  • July 6, 1948- - - - - - LCDR Harlin M. Keister
  • April 9, 1952 - - - - - CDR Armind T. Holderman
  • March 1953- - - - - - - LCDR R. A. Singleton (acting)
  • July 1, 1953- - - - - - CDR Armind T. Holderman
  • September 1953- - - - - CDR William T. Harding
  • June 1955 - - - - - - - CDR C. H. Gates
  • 1956- - - - - - - - - - CDR Robert M. Soule
  • September 1956- - - - - CDR Francis X. Brady
  • July 28, 1958 - - - - - CDR Richard D. Lazenby
  • July 24, 1959 - - - - - CDR D. G. Patterson
  • September 2, 1960 - - - CDR G. M. Hart
  • December 20, 1961 - - - CDR J. A. Endacott
  • December 1962 - - - - - CDR Donald Loranger
  • December 10, 1963 - - - CDR Malcolm E. Vail
  • November 5, 1964- - - - CDR Paul A. Peck
  • October 23, 1965- - - - CDR Otto E. Krueger
  • October 28, 1966- - - - CDR J. H. Wynn III
  • November 9, 1967- - - - CDR Joseph B. Wilkinson, Jr.
  • November 8, 1968- - - - CDR John E. Wasson
  • November 26, 1969 - - - CDR Zygmont J. Kowalskey, Jr.
  • October 22, 1970- - - - CDR Robert B. Browning
  • October 29, 1971- - - - CDR David L. Moss
  • October 13, 1972- - - - CDR W. A. Lacey
  • September 26, 1973- - - CDR Ted W. Reynolds
  • January 21, 1975- - - - CDR Harvey A. Eikel
  • April 15, 1976- - - - - CDR S. R. Briggs
  • July 1, 1977- - - - - - CDR John A. Moriarty
  • October 20, 1978- - - - CDR Paul E. Otto
  • January 20, 1980- - - - CDR Paul A. Cassiman
  • March 23, 1981- - - - - CDR James I. Maslowski
  • June 4, 1982- - - - - - CDR M. A. Gary
  • June 28, 1982 - - - - - CDR J. J. Zerr
  • February 14, 1983 - - - CDR E. L. Tetrick
  • June 1984 - - - - - - - CDR Terrence L. Hightower
  • October 17, 1985- - - - CDR Larry S. Doyle
  • February 27, 1987 - - - CDR Carl W. Chamberlain
  • September 1, 1988 - - - CDR John A. Roe
  • April 26, 1990- - - - - CDR Lewis G. Mason

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Events
  • July through October 1943:
    VB-99 was established as an experimental squadron for the new SB2C Helldiver aircraft until its redesignation as VB-20 and assignment to CVG-20. VB-99 was initially assigned the tried and true (Slow But Deadly) Douglas SBD-5 Dauntless. On November 15, 1943 the squadron started to receive the SB2C-1C Curtiss Helldiver.

  • October 15, 1943:
    VB-99 was redesignated Bombing Squadron TWENTY (VB-20).

  • August 16, 1944 through November 23, 1944:
    VB-20 Tough Kitties flying the SB2C-3 Curtiss Helldiver and embarked upon United States Ship Enterprise CV 6, for the first of two World War II VB-99 Pacific combat cruises.

  • August 31, 1944:
    The Tough Kitty's first combat action involved striking from United States Ship Enterprise CV 6, in an attack on the Bonin Islands.

  • September 1944:
    VB-20 striking from United States Ship Enterprise CV 6, participated in pre-invasion strikes on Palau Islands and provided air support for landings on Peleliu Island.

  • October 1944:
    Tough Kitty aircraft striking from United States Ship Enterprise CV 6, participated in air strikes against Okinawa, Formosa and Luzon.

  • October 24, 1944:
    VB-20 striking from United States Ship Enterprise CV 6, participated in the Battle for Leyte Gulf. Tough Kitty's SB2Cs flew sorties against a powerful Japanese surface force in the Sibuyan Sea. These attacks contributed to the sinking of the Musashi, one of the two largest battleships in the world. The following squadron personnel were awarded the Navy Cross for this action:
    Ensign M. E. Adams
    Ensign R. J. Barnes
    Ensign H. A. Koster
    Ensign R. D. Olson
    Ensign M. T. Ross
    Ensign D. D. J. Spanagel
    Lieutenant (jg) P. P. Cook
    Lieutenant (jg) J. M. Glynn
    Lieutenant (jg) R. D. Reed
    Lieutenant (jg) J. P. Trytten
    Lieutenant (jg) J. E. Tsarnas
    Lieutenant W. N. Christensen
    Lieutenant J. S. Cooper
    Lieutenant H. C. Hogan
    Lieutenant R. E. Moore
    Lieutenant R. D. Warner
    Lieutenant R. S. Wilcox
    Commander R. E. Riera

  • October 25, 1944:
    Tough Kitty aircraft striking from United States Ship Enterprise CV 6, were part of the Fast Carrier Task Force that attacked the Japanese carrier force in the Battle of Cape Engano. Four Japanese carriers were sunk during this engagement. The following squadron personnel were awarded the Navy Cross for their actions during the Battle of Cape Engano:
    Ensign H. C. Bearden,
    Ensign D. F. Hughes,
    Ensign C. Z. Stevens III
    Ensign W. P. Wright;
    Lieutenant (jg) W. C. Phtilla;
    Lieutenant W. W. Anderson,
    Lieutenant C. Burkhart,
    Lieutenant L. C. Flynt;
    Commander R. E. Riera.

  • November 23, 1944 through February 2, 1945:
    VB-20 cross-decked (switched ships during the cruise) to United States Ship Lexington CV 16, for the second of two World War II VB-99 Pacific combat cruises.

  • November 1944:
    Tough Kitty Helldivers striking from United States Ship Lexington CV 16, against a Japanese troop convoy in Ormoc Bay, Leyte and enemy positions on Luzon.

  • December 1944:
    Tough Kitty Helldivers striking from United States Ship Lexington CV 16, participated in strikes flown against Luzon.

  • January 1945:
    VB-20 aircraft flew strikes against Luzon, Formosa, Hong Kong, and Japanese convoys in South China Sea and Okinawa.

  • January 12, 1945:
    The following VB-20 personnel were awarded the Silver Star medal for action against a Japanese cruiser while protecting a convoy of cargo ships:
    Lieutenant (jg) H. Rubner,
    Lieutenant W. N. Christensen,
    Lieutenant W. W. Anderson.

  • November 15, 1946:
    VB-20 was redesignated Attack Squadron NINE A (VA-9A).

  • August 12, 1948:
    Va-9A was redesignated Attack Squadron NINETY FOUR (VA-94).

  • October 4, 1948:
    VB-20 received the new AD-2 Douglas Skyraider.

  • November 30, 1949:
    Attack Squadron NINETY FOUR (VA-94) is disestablished.

  • March 26, 1952:
    Fighter Squadron NINETY FOUR (VF-94) is established and assigned the FG-1D Goodyear Corsair I. Several months later VF-94 got the F4U-4 Vought Corsair I.

  • September 1953:
    VF-94 was assigned the F9F-5 Grumman Panther.

  • February 1955:
    VF-94 received the FJ-3 North American Fury.

  • August 1, 1958:
    VF-94 was redesignated VA-94 - Attack Squadron NINETY FOUR. Later the squadron was assigned the Douglas A4D-2 (A-4B) Skyhawk.

  • January 11, 1959:
    Attack Squadron NINETY FOUR takes a new handle "The Shrikes."

  • September 7, 1960:
    The Shrikes were assigned the Douglas A4D-2N (A-4C) Skyhawk.

  • August 5, 1964 through May 6, 1965:
    The Mighty Shrikes flying the A-4C Skyhawk fourth deployment on United States Ship Ranger CVA 61. This was the Shrikes's first combat cruise to Western Pacific/Vietnam. The Shrikes had no combat or operational losses this cruise.

  • December 1, 1964:
    The squadron flew its first sorties in support of Yankee Team Operations, armed escort for photo reconnaissance missions over Laos.

  • February 7, 1965:
    Following a Viet Cong attack against the American advisors compound at Pleiku, South Vietnam, the President ordered a reprisal strike against North Vietnam, named Flaming Dart I. The squadron's target, Vit Thu Lu barracks, was concealed by heavy weather and the mission was aborted due to the bad weather.
    Four days later the squadron participated in Flaming Dart II, retaliatory strikes against the Chanh Hoa military barracks near Dong Hoi, North Vietnam.

  • March 1965:
    The squadron participated in Rolling Thunder strikes against the Phu Qui ammunition depot in North Vietnam.

  • October 23, 1967:
    The Shrikes were assigned the A-4E Douglas Skyhawk.

  • October 26, 1965 through June 21, 1966:
    The Mighty Shrikes flying the A-4C Skyhawk first deployment on United States Ship Enterprise CVAN 65. This was the Shrikes's second combat cruise to Western Pacific/Vietnam.

  • December 23, 1965:
    Lieutenant Junior Grade W. L. Shankel in A-4C BuNo. 149562 side number NG 414 was shot down by triple A, over North Vietnam. Lieutenant Shankel successfully ejected, was captured by the North Vietnamese and made Prisoner of War.

  • March 17, 1966:
    Lieutenant Junior Grade F. C. Baldcock, Jr. in A-4C BuNo. 147740 side number NG 401 was shot down by triple A, over North Vietnam. Lieutenant Baldcock sucessfully ejected, was captured by the North Vietnamese and made Prisoner of War.

  • March 21, 1966:
    Lieutenant Junior Grade F. R. Compton in A-4C BuNo. 149515 side number NG 406 was shot down by a SAM, over North Vietnam. Lieutenant Compton was Killed in Action.

  • March 21, 1966:
    Lieutenant Commander J. M. Tiderman in A-4C BuNo. 148499 side number NG 411 was shot down by a SAM, over North Vietnam. Lieutenant Commander Tiderman was Killed in Action.

  • January 5, 1967 through August 22, 1967:
    The Mighty Shrikes flying the A-4C Skyhawk first deployment on United States Ship Hancock CVA 19. This was the Shrikes's third combat cruise to Western Pacific/Vietnam.

  • March 30, 1967:
    A-4C Skyhawk BuNo. 147844 was lost in non-combat. The pilot was rescued.

  • May 10, 1967:
    Commander R. M. Netherland in A-4C BuNo. 149509 side number NF 404 was shot down by a SAM, over North Vietnam. Commander Netherland was Killed in Action.

  • January 27, 1968 through October 10, 1968:
    The Mighty Shrikes flying the A-4E Skyhawk first deployment on United States Ship Bon Homme Richard CVA 31. This was the Shrikes's fourth combat cruise to Western Pacific/Vietnam. The Shrikes had no combat or operational losses this cruise.

  • March 18, 1969 through October 29, 1969:
    The Mighty Shrikes flying the A-4E Skyhawk second deployment on United States Ship Bon Homme Richard CVA 31. This was the Shrikes's fifth combat cruise to Western Pacific/Vietnam. The Shrikes had no combat losses this cruise.

  • May 6, 1969:
    A-4E Skyhawk BuNo. 152043 was lost in non-combat. The pilot was rescued.

  • April 2, 1970 through November 12, 1970:
    The Mighty Shrikes flying the A-4E Skyhawk third deployment on United States Ship Bon Homme Richard CVA 31. This was the Shrikes's sixth combat cruise to Western Pacific/Vietnam. The Shrikes had no combat or operational losses this cruise.

  • January 1971:
    The Shrikes were assigned the A-7E Vought Corsair II.

  • November 12, 1971 through August 17, 1972:
    The Mighty Shrikes flying the A-7E Corsair II first deployment on United States Ship Coral Sea CVA 43. This was the Shrikes's seventh combat cruise to Western Pacific/Vietnam.


    Courtesy Gary Verver

  • January 18, 1972:
    A-7E BuNo. 156880 was lost in non-combat. The pilot was rescued.

  • April 16, 1972:
    Commander D. L. Moss in A-7E BuNo. 156860 was shot down by a SAM, over North Vietnam. Commander Moss was rescued.

  • May 1, 1972:
    Lieutenant M. D. Surdyk in A-7E BuNo. 156888 was shot down by a SAM, over North Vietnam. Lieutenant Surdyk was was rescued.

  • May 9, 1972:
    The squadron participated in Operation Pocket Money, the mining of Haiphong harbor. Aircraft from VA-94, as well as the other attack squadrons deployed aboard United States Ship Coral Sea CVA 43, planned and executed the mining of the harbor.

  • May 24, 1972:
    Lieutenant Commander H. A. Eikel in A-7E BuNo. 156877 was shot down by a SAM, over North Vietnam. Lieutenant Commander Eikel was rescued.

  • May through June 1972:
    VA-94 participated in operation Linebacker I, heavy air strikes against targets in North Vietnam.

  • April 29, 1975:
    Squadron aircraft provided air cover for Operation Frequent Wind, the evacuation of American citizens from Saigon.

  • May 15, 1975:
    VA-94 aircraft, along with other elements from CVW-15 embarked in United States Ship Coral Sea, launched air strikes against the Cambodian mainland after the capture of the SS Mayaguez by Cambodian gunboats on May 12, 1975. Combat sorties were flown against targets at Ream Naval Facility, Kompong Som Naval Facility and a Cambodian patrol boat.

  • October 27, 1979:
    Following the assassination of Park Chung Hee, President of the Republic of Korea, United States Ship Kitty Hawk CV 63, with VA-94 embarked, operated off the coast of Korea.

  • April 18, 1988:
    VA-94 participated in Operation Praying Mantis, retaliatory strikes against Iranian oil platforms, gunboats and other naval ships after the United States Ship Sameul B. Roberts (FFG 58) had struck an Iranian mine in international waters on April 14. Squadron aircraft delivered direct hits on the Iranian frigate Sahand.

  • June 28,1990:
    The Mighty Shrikes were redesignated as VFA-94 - Strike Fighter Squadron NINETY FOUR and assigned the F/A-18C Boeing Hornet.

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Awards
    Award - - - - - - - - - Inclusive Dates:
  • PUC
    • 14 Dec 1944 to 16 Dec 1944
    • 03 Jan 1945 to 22 Jan 1945

  • Campaign Medal (Asiatic-Pacific)
    • 31 Aug 1944 to 18 Sep 1944
    • 10 Oct 1944 to 22 Nov 1944
    • 14 Dec 1944 to 16 Dec 1944
    • 03 Jan 1945 to 22 Jan 1945

  • Korea Presidential Unit Citation
    • 31 Jan 1953 to 27 Jul 1953

  • Korea Service Medal
    • 25 Jan 1953 to 01 Aug 1953

  • Navy Unit Commendations
    • 31 Aug 1944 to 18 Sep 1944
    • 10 Oct 1944 to 22 Nov 1944
    • 31 Jan 1953 to 27 Jul 1953
    • 21 Feb 1968 to 13 Sep 1968
    • 15 Dec 1971 to 01 Jul 1972

  • Navy Battle E Ribbon
    • 01 Jul 1973 to 30 Jun 1974
    • 01 Jul 1983 to 31 Dec 1984
    • 01 Jan 1989 to 31 Dec 1989

  • Armed Forces Expeditionary Medals
    • 24 Jun 1960 to 25 Jun 1960
    • 01 May 1963 to 05 May 1963
    • 18 Sep 1964 to 20 Sep 1964
    • 01 Oct 1964 to 09 Oct 1964
    • 28 Nov 1964 to 01 Jan 1965
    • 16 Jan 1965 to 17 Mar 1965
    • 04 Apr 1965 to 14 Apr 1965
    • 04 May 1968 to 07 May 1968
    • 29 Jun 1969
    • 07 Jul 1969 to 13 Jul 1969
    • 24 Jul 1969
    • 03 Sep 1969
    • 13 Sep 1969 to 14 Sep 1969
    • 29 Apr 1975 to 30 Apr 1975
    • 15 May 1975
    • 15 Feb 1988 to 09 Mar 1988
    • 17 Jan 1990 to 31 Jan 1990

  • Humanitarian Service Medal
    • 29 Apr 1975 to 30 Apr 1975
    • 17 May 1981
    • 02 Oct 1981
    • 23 Oct 1982

  • Meritorius Unit Commendation
    • 20 Jan 1967 to 14 Jul 1967
    • 18 Apr 1969 to 08 Oct 1969
    • 02 May 1970 to 20 Oct 1970
    • 22 Apr 1975 to 30 Apr 1975
    • 15 May 1975
    • 13 Nov 1979 to 08 Feb 1980
    • 01 Oct 1983 to 31 Mar 1985
    • 15 Feb 1988 to 09 Mar 1988

  • Navy Expeditionary Medal
    • 25 Nov 1979 to 28 Jan 1980
    • 25 May 1981 to 30 Sep 1981
    • 30 Apr 1986 to 27 Jun 1986

  • Republic of Vietnam Meritorious Unit Citations
    • 02 Dec 1965
    • 11 Dec 1965
    • 21 Dec 1965
    • 24 Dec 1965
    • 26 Dec 1965 to 30 Dec 1965
    • 01 Jan 1966 to 02 Jan 1966
    • 04 Jan 1966 to 14 Jan 1966
    • 04 Feb 1966
    • 19 Feb 1966
    • 23 Feb 1966
    • 27 Mar 1966 to 28 Mar 1966
    • 30 Mar 1966 to 31 Mar 1966
    • 02 Apr 1966
    • 11 Apr 1966
    • 29 Apr 1966
    • 20 Feb 1967
    • 23 Feb 1967
    • 16 Mar 1967
    • 24 Mar 1967 to 25 Mar 1967
    • 07 May 1967
    • 09 May 1967
    • 12 May 1967
    • 15 May 1967 to 21 May 1967
    • 29 May 1967 to 30 May 1967
    • 03 Jun 1967
    • 16 Jun 1967
    • 21 Feb 1968 to 25 Feb 1968
    • 27 Feb 1968 to 07 Mar 1968
    • 12 Mar 1968 to 18 Mar 1968
    • 22 Mar 1968 to 23 Mar 1968
    • 25 Mar 1968
    • 06 Apr 1968 to 11 Apr 1968
    • 13 Apr 1968 to 14 Apr 1968
    • 17 Apr 1968 to 20 Apr 1968
    • 13 May 1968 to 14 May 1968
    • 26 May 1968 to 27 May 1968
    • 04 Jul 1968
    • 02 Aug 1968 to 18 Aug 1968
    • 27 Aug 1968 to 14 Sep 1968
    • 18 Apr 1969 to 17 May 1969
    • 01 Jun 1969
    • 04 Jun 1969 to 09 Jun 1969
    • 11 Jun 1969 to 24 Jun 1969
    • 26 Jun 1969

  • Vietnam Service Medals
    • 02 Dec 1965 to 14 Jan 1966
    • 04 Feb 1966 to 23 Feb 1966
    • 16 Mar 1966 to 12 Apr 1966
    • 22 Apr 1966 to 14 May 1966
    • 23 May 1966 to 06 Jun 1966
    • 04 Feb 1967 to 26 Feb 1967
    • 15 Mar 1967 to 12 Apr 1967
    • 27 Apr 1967 to 05 Jun 1967
    • 11 Jun 1967 to 28 Jun 1967
    • 20 Feb 1968 to 25 Mar 1968
    • 06 Apr 1968 to 20 Apr 1968
    • 09 May 1968 to 30 May 1968
    • 04 Jun 1968 to 05 Jun 1968
    • 13 Jun 1968 to 07 Jul 1968
    • 21 Jul 1968 to 18 Aug 1968
    • 27 Aug 1968 to 14 Sep 1968
    • 17 Apr 1969 to 18 May 1969
    • 03 Jun 1969 to 26 Jun 1969
    • 30 Jul 1969 to 31 Aug 1969
    • 23 Sep 1969 to 08 Oct 1969
    • 02 May 1970 to 26 May 1970
    • 01 Jun 1970 to 14 Jun 1970
    • 01 Jul 1970 to 29 Jul 1970
    • 17 Aug 1970 to 03 Sep 1970
    • 11 Sep 1970 to 12 Sep 1970
    • 26 Sep 1970 to 21 Oct 1970
    • 14 Dec 1971
    • 31 Dec 1971 to 17 Jan 1972
    • 26 Jan 1972 to 17 Feb 1972
    • 01 Apr 1972 to 11 May 1972
    • 01 Jun 1972 to 11 Jun 1972
    • 21 Jun 1972 to 02 Jul 1972
    • During the Mighty Shrikes's seven Vietnam War combat deployments, VA-94 was awarded:
      • eleven Armed Forces Expeditionary Medals,
      • two Navy Unit Commendations,
      • three Meritorious Unit Commendations,
      • forty-four Republic of Vietnam Meritorious Unit Citations, and
      • thirty-two Vietnam Service Medals.

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      Sources:
      • Russell Anderson
      • Harry Gann
      • Masaaki Hayakawa
      • Takafumi Hiroe
      • Jan Jacobs
      • Otto Krueger
      • JOC H. O. Moeser, USN
      • Vlad "Blod" Sosedkin
      • Whiz White

      This Skyhawk website page is posthumously dedicated to:

      Lieutenant Commander Mark Tederman, United States Navy (left)
      and
      Lieutenant Frank Compton, United States Navy (right)

      Early in 1966, Intelligence indicated many North Vietnamese junks were moving further down and off coast, thus posing a threat to our guys who might have to bail out. Our spook community thought the Vietnamese junks to be openly moving supplies to the south. The solution was to send some sorties to specifically go sampan hunting, sink 'em if possible, but mostly scare them back inshore and discourage their venturing to sea.

      VA-94 was assigned the mission on March 23, 1966, led by Commander Jack Wynn, Executive Officer, - Lieutenant Commander Mark Tiderman, and Lieutenant Frank Compton filling out the flight. They flew to north of Cap Muy Ron, let down till they were above a fairly low cloud deck. Overwater and several miles out from the beach, they felt comfortable, not threatened, and were about to reach the area where they were going down to start a search for boats.

      At the time, there had been no surface to air missiles (SAMs) reported that far south, all previous SAM sights had been located much farther north and none were expected, especially well from the beach.

      Commander Wynn radioed Mark & Frank that he was ready to descend, but received no acknowledgment. Turning, he saw only a smoky smudge in the sky over the cloud layer --- no planes, and no answer to repeated calls. He then descended below the clouds, and still found nothing. A SAR (search and rescue) was organized with helicopters, Spads, etc --- after a thorough search only a tire was located. Since no enemy fire had been seen, there was speculation (as always, by the ground pounding non-combat staff pukes) of a midair. But we combat pilots knew better, Mark and John were too good to have gone bump in broad daylight and in level flight.

      A subsequent (days later) report by a North American RA-5C Vigilante Navy pilot, who on that day had been returning from another mission, stated that a SAM had been sighted lifting from a low cloud layer off the coast; then level off just over the clouds on an easterly heading. Nothing more. When we spoke personally to the pilot and checked time, location, heading, etc., it became obvious he had spotted the SAM that had tragically gotten both planes. There was no SAM warning reported from any source on that morning, and Commander Wynn reported no cockpit warning.

      A day or two later, we received an alert from the Air Force Intelligence staff that the Vietcong were thought to be moving mobile SAM launchers south and that we should be on guard. No mobile SAM launchers had ever been reported previously. One mobile SAM launcher was thought to be near the coastal area and about abreast of where our guys were lost. Big help!

      That was all. Two fine officers, top notch pilots and dedicated Americans were gone without a sound! Mark Tiderman left a grief stricken widow and a beautiful daughter, and John Compton heartbroken parents.



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