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VCDVCF PRESIDENT LES THACKSTON WAS ASSIGNED TO THIS FLEET SQUADRON.
VA-153
Lineage
During a reorganization of the Naval Air Reserve, a Fighter Squadron at NAS New York (believed to have been VF-718) was redesignated Fighter Squadron EIGHT HUNDRED THIRTY ONE (VF-831) in September 1949. Reserve Fighter Squadron EIGHT HUNDRED THIRTY ONE (VF-831) was called to active duty on 1 February 1951. Redesignated Fighter Squadron ONE HUNDRED FIFTY THREE (VF-153) on 4 February 1953. Redesignated Attack Squadron ONE HUNDRED FIFTY THREE (VA-153) on 15 December 1956. Disestablished on 30 September 1977. The first squadron to be assigned the VA-153 designation.
Squadron Insignia and Nickname
The squadron’s insignia was approved by CNO on 17 May 1951. Colors for the griffin insignia were: light blue background outlined in orange; the griffin’s body was black with white highlights, its beak and claws were orange and yellow, and the eagle head was white. Following the squadron’s two designation changes the basic insignia continued in use with minor modifications. Nickname: Blue Tail Flies 1953–1977.
Home Port Assignments
Location Assignment Date
NAS New York, Floyd Bennett Field *
NAS Alameda 01 Apr 1951
NAS Moffett Field 05 May 1952
NAS Lemoore 21 Aug 1961
* Assigned to NAS New York prior to the squadron’s recall to active
duty on 1 February 1951.
Commanding Officers Date Assumed Command
LCDR A. J. Denman *
LCDR G. E. Miller 05 May 1952
LCDR Loys M. Satterfield Sep 1953
CDR W. L. Abbott Mar 1955
CDR Alexander D. C. Byers 1956
LCDR Hildry L. Nelson 27 Feb 1957
CDR John F. Bauman 17 Oct 1958
CDR Vernon R. Fierce, Jr. 08 Feb 1960
CDR W. C. May 21 Jun 1961
CDR Zeb V. Knott 30 Jul 1962
CDR William C. Raposa 10 Jul 1963
CDR Peter Mongilardi, Jr. 26 May 1964
CDR Harry E. Thomas Apr 1965
(acting commanding officer) 13 Aug 1965
CDR K. V. McArthur 15 Sep 1965
CDR D. E. Leue 25 Jul 1966
CDR T. E. Woolcock 1967
CDR R. J. Dapogny 08 May 1968
CDR Olaf M. Carlson, Jr. 23 May 1969
CDR Peter G. Frederick 20 Aug 1970
CDR William J. M. O’Connor 11 Jun 1971
CDR Paul D. Stephenson 01 Jun 1972
CDR Denis R. Weichman 27 Jul 1973
LCDR Keith S. Jones 20 Sep 1974
LCDR Robert F. Hofford 12 Sep 1975
CDR Lawrence H. Price 15 Dec 1976
* LCDR Denman was commanding officer of the reserve squadron
prior to its activation on 1 February 1951
Deployments
Departure & Return Air Wing Carrier Aircraft Area of Operations:
09-08-51 to 05-02-52 CVG-15 CV 36 F9F-2 Korea
01-24-53 to 09-21-53 CVG-15 CVA 37 F9F-5 Korea/WestPac
07-01-54 to 02-28-55 CVG-15 CVA 10 F9F-6 WestPac
04-23-56 to 10-15-56 CVG-15 CVA 18 F9F-8/8B WestPac
02-15-58 to 10-02-58 CVG-15 CVA 19 A4D-1 WestPac
07-01-59 to 01-18-60 CVG-15 CVA 19 A4D-2 WestPac
09-19-60 to 05-27-61 CVG-15 CVA 43 A4D-2 WestPac
05-12-61 to 07-17-62 CVG-15 CVA 43 A4D-2N WestPac
04-03-63 to 11-25-63 CVG-15 CVA 43 A-4C WestPac
12-07-64 to 11-01-65 CVW-15 CVA 43 A-4C WestPac/Vietnam
05-12-66 to 12-03-66 CVW-15 CVA 64 A-4C WestPac/Vietnam
07-26-67 to 04-06-68 CVW-15 CVA 43 A-4E WestPac/Vietnam
09-07-68 to 04-18-69 CVW-15 CVA 43 A-4F WestPac/Vietnam
05-14-70 to 12-10-70 CVW-19 CVA 34 A-7A WestPac/Vietnam
05-14-71 to 12-18-71 CVW-19 CVA 34 A-7A WestPac/Vietnam
06-05-72 to 03-30-73 CVW-19 CVA 34 A-7A WestPac/Vietnam
10-18-73 to 06-05-74 CVW-19 CVA 34 A-7B WestPac/IO
09-16-75 to 03-03-76 CVW-19 CV 34 A-7B WestPac
10-04-76 to 04-21-77 CVW-19 CV 42 A-7B Mediterranean
Commanding Officers
Date Assumed Command Commanding Officer
1950 LCDR A. J. Denman *
May 5, 1952 LCDR G. E. Miller
September 1953 LCDR Loys M. Satterfield
March 1955 CDR W. L. Abbott
1956 CDR Alexander D. C. Byers
February 27, 1957 LCDR Hildry L. Nelson
October 17, 1958 CDR John F. Bauman
February 8, 1960 CDR Vernon R. Fierce, Jr.
June 21, 1961 CDR W. C. May
July 30, 1962 CDR Zeb V. Knott
July 10, 1963 CDR William C. Raposa
May 26, 1964 CDR Peter Mongilardi, Jr.
August 13, 1965 CDR Harry E. Thomas (acting APR 1965)
September 15, 1965 CDR K. V. McArthur
July 25, 1966 CDR D. E. Leue
1967 CDR T. E. Woolcock
May 8, 1968 CDR R. J. Dapogny
May 23, 1969 CDR Olaf M. Carlson, Jr.
August 20, 1970 CDR Peter G. Frederick
June 11, 1971 CDR William J. M. O'Connor
June 1, 1972 CDR Paul D. Stephenson
July 27,1973 CDR Denis R. Weichman
September 20, 1974 LCDR Keith S. Jones
September 12, 1975 LCDR Robert F. Hofford
December 15, 1976 CDR Lawrence H. Price
* LCDR Denman was commanding officer of the reserve squadron prior to its activation on February 1, 1951.
Chronology of Events
• September 1949: Naval Air Reserve Fighter Squadron SEVEN HUNDRED EIGHTEEN (VF-718) was redesignated Fighter Squadron EIGHT HUNDRED THIRTY ONE (VF-831) at Naval Air Station New York Floyd Bennett Field. VF-718 and VF-831 both flew the Grumman F6F Hellcat.
• February 1, 1951: VF-831 Blue Tail Flies were called to active duty at Naval Air Station New York Floyd Bennett Field.
• April 1, 1951: VF-831 moved its homeport to Naval Air Station Alameda, California where the squadron transitioned into the Grumman F9F-2 Panther.
• September 8, 1951 to May 2, 1952: VF-831 Blue Tail; Flies flying the Grumman F9F-2 Panther under CVG-15 embarked on United States Ship Antietam CV 36 for combat over Korea
• May 5, 1952: Upon return to CONUS VF-831 moved its homeport to Naval Air Station Moffett Field, California.
• January 24, 1953 to September 21, 1953: VF-831 flying the Grumman F9F-5 Panther under CVG-15 embarked on United States Ship Princeton CV 37 for a second combat cruise to Korea.
• February 4, 1953: VF-831 was redesignated Fighter Squadron ONE HUNDRED FIFTY THREE (VF-153 Blue Tail Flies) while deployed in Korean waters.
• August 1, 1954 to February 28, 1955: VF-153 Blue Tail Flies flying the Grumman F9F-6 Cougar under CVG-15 embarked on United States Ship Yorktown CVA 10 for a cruise to WestPac.
• February 1955: Blue Tail Fly aircraft flew sorties from Yorktown in support of the evacuation of Chinese Nationalists from the Tachen Islands.
• December 15, 1956: VF-153 was redesignated Attack Squadron ONE HUNDRED FIFTY THREE (VA-153). The Blue Tail Flies were assigned the Douglas A4D-1 (A-4A) Skyhawk. The Squadron completed A-4A Skyhawk transition February 12, 1957.
• February 20, 1957: CO Cdr. Alexander D. C. Byers CO was killed when his A4D-1 crashed into San Francisco Bay about one mile south of International Airport. The plane apparently developed engine trouble at a low altitude and he ejected, but the chute failed to open completely before he hit the water.
• June 21, 1957: Lt. Robert T. Rich perished and A4D-1 was lost on a night bombing practice at NAS Fallon, NV
• August 23 to September 9, 1958: The Blue Tail Flies flew sorties in the Taiwan Straits after the Chinese Communists bombarded Quemoy Island.
• October 27, 1958: VA-153 was assigned the Douglas A4D-2 Skyhawk.
• February 15, 1960: Lt(jg). Gordon N. Blake perished in A4D-2, crashing short of the runway at NAS Moffett Field, CA and slamming into a residence.
• September 8, 1960: Lt(jg) Richard E. Morton was killed when his A4D-2 plunged upside down just in front of the USS Coral Sea due to insufficient airspeed on a night launch.
• September 19, 1960: United States Ship Coral Sea (CVA 43), with VA-153 embarked, operated in the South China Sea after Pathet Lao forces captured strategic positions in Laos.
• January 6, 1961: An unidentified pilot was killed when his A4D-2 exploded as it hit the carrier Coral Sea's deck, careened into men and planes and exploded again as the aircraft bounced over the side.
• June 20, 1961: VA-153 was assigned the Douglas A4D-2N Skyhawk.
• August 4, 1961: Lt. Edward E. Lutenschwager ejected after his A4D-2N caught fire on a navigational training flight. It is thought the tailpipe separated from the engine, setting the aft fuselage on fire.
• August 21, 1961: VA-153 moved to Naval Air Station Lemoore, California.
• December 6, 1961: While operating of the south coast of Honshu Island Japan A4D-2 of VA-153, piloted by LT Thomas Joseph Cress USN, crashed on deck and went into the water. Major damage to three (3) a/c parked forward port side flight deck. Sources indicate that two other airwing personnel were killed in the incident.
• 1964: VA-153 formed Detachment Romeo to serve aboard the Kearsarge, CVS-33, to provide air protection to the anti-submarine group CVSG-53. September 24, 1964: Lt. John Peacock survived a ramp strike during a night time recovery aboard the USS Coral Sea.
• December 7, 1964 to November 1, 1965: VA-153 flying the Douglas A4D-2N Skyhawk deployed under CVW-15 on United States Ship Coral Sea (CVA 43) for the Blue Tail Fly's first combat tour to Vietnam.
• February 2, 1965: VA-153 began participating in operations in Laos. These operations involved Yankee Team, Barrel Roll and Steel Tiger missions.
• February 7 and 11, 1965: The Blue Tail Flies participated in Flaming Dart I and II, reprisal strikes against targets in North Vietnam following a Viet Cong attack on the American advisors compound at Pleiku and the American billet in Qui Nhon, South Vietnam.
• February 11, 1965: Lieutenant W. T. Majors United States Navy was shot down in A-4C Skyhawk by North Vietnamese triple A fire. Lieutenant Majors successfully ejected and was recovered.
• March 1965: VA-153 participated in Rolling Thunder operations, the bombing of military targets in North Vietnam.
• April 7, 1965: Lieutenant W. M. Roark United States Navy was shot down in A-4C Skyhawk by North Vietnamese triple A fire. Lieutenant Roark was Killed in Action.
• April 9, 1965: Lieutenant Commander C. H. McNeil United States Navy was shot down in A-4C Skyhawk by North Vietnamese triple A fire. Lieutenant Commander McNeil successfully ejected and was recovered.
• June 25, 1965: Commander P. Mongilardi United States Navy was shot down in A-4C Skyhawk by North Vietnamese triple A fire. Commander Mongilardi was Killed in Action.
• July 15, 1965: Lieutenant A. J. Bennett United States Navy was shot down in A-4C Skyhawk by North Vietnamese triple A fire. Lieutenant Bennett successfully ejected and was recovered.
• August 13, 1965: VA-153 commanding officer, Commander H. E. Thomas United States Navy was shot down in A-4C Skyhawk by North Vietnamese triple A fire. Commander Thomas was Killed In Action.
• May 12, 1966 to December 3, 1966: VA-153 flying the Douglas A-4C Skyhawk deployed under CVW-15 on United States Ship Constellation (CVA 64) for the Blue Tail Fly's second combat tour to Vietnam.
• July 6, 1966: Lieutenant Commander G. H. Wilkins United States Navy was shot down in A-4C Skyhawk by North Vietnamese triple A fire. Commander Wilkins was Killed in Action.
• September 12, 1966: Lieutenant Commander W. F. Coakley United States Navy was shot down in A-4C Skyhawk by North Vietnamese triple A fire. Commander Coakley was Killed in Action.
• October 20, 1966: Lieutenant Junior Grade H. S. Edwards was shot down in A-4C Skyhawk by North Vietnamese triple A fire. Lieutenant Edwards was Killed in Action.
• August 26, 1967 to April 6, 1968: VA-153 flying the Douglas A-4E Skyhawk deployed under CVW-15 on United States Ship Coral Sea (CVA 43) for the Blue Tail Fly's third combat tour to Vietnam.
• August 29, 1967: Lieutenant M. J. Allard United States Navy was shot down in A-4E Skyhawk by North Vietnamese triple A fire. Lieutenant Allard was Killed in Action.
• January 25, 1968: Commander T. E. Woodcock United States Navy was shot down in A-4E Skyhawk by North Vietnamese SAM. Commander Woodcock successfully ejected and was recovered.
• March 1968: United States Ship Coral Sea (CVA 43), with VA-153 embarked, operated on station off the coast of Korea following the capture of United States Ship Pueblo (AGER 2) in January by North Korea.
• September 7, 1968 to April 18, 1969: VA-153 flying the Douglas A-4F Skyhawk deployed under CVW-15 on United States Ship Coral Sea (CVA 43) for the Blue Tail Fly's fourth combat tour to Vietnam. The squadron had no aircraft or pilot losses this cruise.
• May 14, 1970 to December 10, 1970: VA-153 flying the Vought A-7A Corsair II deployed under CVW-19 on United States Ship Oriskany (CVA 34) for the Blue Tail Fly's fifth combat tour to Vietnam.
• May 28, 1970: Commander D. D. Aldern United States Navy was shot down in A-7A Corsair II BuNo. 153176 NL 303 over Laos by triple A fire. Commander Allard, CAG for the embarked Air Group, is missing in action and presumed Killed in Action.
• November 21, 1970: The squadron flew missions in support of an attempt to rescue American prisoners-of-war at the Son Tay prisoner compound, 20 miles west of Hanoi. Unit was awarded the Meritorious Unit Citation for this action.
• May 14, 1971 to December 18, 1971: VA-153 flying the Vought A-7A Corsair II deployed under CVW-19 on United States Ship Oriskany (CVA 34) for the Blue Tail Fly's sixth combat tour to Vietnam. There were no combat losses this cruise.
• November 1, 1971: Commander Tom Frank, VA-153 XO, got an Oriskany cold catapult shot in A-7A Corsair II BuNo. 153189 and was killed in the resulting impact with the sea.
• June 5, 1972 to March 30, 1973: VA-153 flying the Vought A-7A Corsair II deployed under CVW-19 on United States Ship Oriskany (CVA 34) for the Blue Tail Fly's seventh combat tour to Vietnam. VA-153 appears to not have lost any aircraft or pilots during this cruise.
• February 11 to 22, 1973: Following the cease-fire with North Vietnam the squadron flew combat missions in Laos until a cease-fire was signed with that country on February 22, 1973.
• February 1973: Commander D. R. Weichman United States Navy, the squadron's executive officer, completed his 625th combat mission of the Vietnam Conflict – a record for the most fixed-wing combat missions during the Vietnam War.
• November 1973: United States Ship Oriskany (CVA 34), with VA-153 embarked, departed from operations in the South China Sea to relieve United States Ship Hancock (CVA 19) on station in the Arabian Sea due to the unsettled conditions following the Yom Kippur War in the Middle East.
• September 30, 1977: Attack Squadron ONE HUNDRED FIFTY THREE was disestablished at Naval Air Station Lemoore, California.
TYLER MARKHAM PARKS SERVED ABOARD THIS SHIP:
USS JOSEPH HEWES DE/FF/FFT-1078 was the 27th ship of the Knox class of Frigates. She was built by Avondale Shipyards in Westwego, Louisiana. Originally commissioned on April 24, 1971 as a Destroyer Escort (DE-1078), she joined the fleet and was assigned "Ocean Escort" duties. JOSEPH HEWES's first homeport was Newport, Rhode Island.
The ship made a West Pac cruise to Vietnam in 1972, participating in a gunfire support role off the coast of Quang Tre, Vietnam. JOSEPH HEWES would provide gunfire support all day, and then reload at night. During the highly successful Vietnam tour, a LAMPS helicopter, an SH-2D, from HSL30 was deployed aboard JOSEPH HEWES. This was the first deployed LAMPS helicopter in the history of the Navy. After leaving Vietnam, JOSEPH HEWES took the long way home in the form of an Around-the-World cruise.
JOSEPH HEWES was the platform that tested the protoype SQR-18 towed array. The ASW ops of the year or so after it came aboard – Westlant ops with US units and ops in the Med against Soviets during the '73 war – redefined ASW. During the period 72-75 the ship deployed once a year – June-Dec 72 to Westpac, Sep 73-Jan 74 to the Med, and Jan 75-Jun 75 to the Indian Ocean. JOSEPH HEWES was the first USN ship to make an operational transit of the Suez Canal after it was reopened in 1975.
Redesignated Frigate on June 30, 1975, her hull number changed to FF-1078, and she was reassigned to an "Anti-Submarine Warfare" (ASW) role.
The ship went through a major overhaul at the Brooklyn Navy yards between January 1981 and February 1982. The ship then left for Charleston, went to GTMO in June and July of 1982 for Refresher Training, and did local ASW Yankee Box operations off of Bermuda in the fall of 1982 and early 1983 for the work-up for deployment in April 1983 as part of the International Peace-Keeping force in Beirut. JOSEPH HEWES did a lot of ISE (Independent Steaming) in the Med, visiting Cannes, Gaeta, Haifa, and St. Tropez during a very successful Med '83 tour. JOSEPH HEWES was approximately 10-12K yards from the Marines when they were bombed by the terrorists at BIA (Beirut Intl Airport) on October 23, 1983. JOSEPH HEWES then operated for a while with USS NEW JERSEY, during her infamous 390 days away from her homeport of Long Beach, 1983-1984.
Decommissioned on June 30, 1994, she was transferred that same day to the Taiwanese Navy and renamed the LAN YANG. Today the LAN YANG is still in service.