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Fighting Aces – VF 152 – Fighting 152nd – US NAVY AttackSquadron 152
Vietnam War Operations
Measures - 4.4 x 3.2 inches (11 x 8 cms)
Attack Squadron 152 – US NAVY –Fighting Aces
VA-152 was an Attack Squadron of the U.S. Navy,nicknamed the Fighting Aces from 1953-1956, the Friendly Squadron or Friendliesfrom 1957-1968, and the Mavericks thereafter.
The squadron was established as Reserve FighterSquadron VF-713 sometime in the late 1940s, and called to active duty on 1February 1951. It was redesignated as VF-152 on 4 February 1953, and finally asVA-152 on 1 August 1958.
The squadron was disestablished on 29 January1971, after twenty years of service.
January 1961:
Due to the crisis in Laos and the capture ofstrategic positions in the country by the Pathet Lao force, USSCoral Sea,with VA-152 embarked, was directed to operate in the South China Sea.
11–12 July 1962:
The squadron participated in the first carrierflight operations in the Bering Sea since the end of World War II.
April–December 1964:
Squadron personnel, while based at Bien Hoa AirBase, South Vietnam, trained South Vietnamese pilots to fly the A-1.
6 and 7 November 1965:
Commander Gordon H. Smith was awarded theSilver Star for his participation as Flight Leader in directing and assistingin 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 inthe same area.
7 November 1965:
Lieutenant Gordon C. Wileen was awarded theSilver Star for his participation in an attempted air rescue of a downedaviator deep in enemy territory.
13 November 1965:Commander Albert E. Knutson was awarded the Silver Star for his attempt tolocate and rescue a downed pilot in enemy territory. During the rescue attempthis aircraft sustained 26 hits.
26 October 1966:While on Yankee Station and preparing to launch her first strike of the day,USSOriskany suffered a disastrous fire. The squadron lost two personnelin the fire and the damage to the carrier was so extensive that it returned tothe States for repairs.
16 June 1967 - 31 January 1968:
VA-152 is the second-to-last US Navy attacksquadron to fly the single-seat A-1H/J Skyraider in combat, as part of CarrierAir Wing 16 (embarked aboard the Oriskany), during the squadron's and carrier'sthird combat cruise to Southeast Asia. VA-152 loses one aircraft and its pilotduring this last A-1 cruise, on 15 July 1967. (VA-25 is the very last USNsquadron to fly the A-1H/J in combat, completing its third and final combatcruise in early April 1968, aboard the Coral Sea).
