Thanks for providing the paint canvas for me to work with bob. Over this time period, 531 operated the f3d f10 skyknight, the f4d skyray, and the f4bn phantom ii. Activated in august 1943 as vmsb333, the fighting shamrocks or trip trey were the first marine unit to receive the f8u2 crusader on november 6, 1959. The mcdonnell douglas f4 phantom ii is a tandem, twoseat, twinengine, allweather, longrange. Uss coral sea cva43 vietnam war deployment cruise book year log 1964 65 navy for sale online. On 10 april 1965, the first division of phantoms left nas atsugi on the 2,500.
Vmfa 115 reunion organization, september 16, 2020 contact. The movement of vmfa 531 was impeded somewhat by a last minute. The plane circled the airfield for about an hour before we could land because the base was under rocket attack. After being assigned to marine fighter attack squadron 351 vmfa531, he was ordered to vietnam, where he flew 122 combat missions with vmfa314 and. On april 10, 1965, 15 f4bs from the squadron arrived at da nang air base, south vietnam becoming the first landbased marine. This photo was then published in the vmfa314 1968 cruise book, the black knights continue the fight and also in the squadrons 1969 cruise book. Upon completion of the carrier deployment in july 1973, he attended command and staff college at marine corps base quantico, va. This is a membersenthusiasts website, not connected to the u. Marines in vietnam the landing and the building 1965 pcn. Remembering vmfa 323 in south vietnam as recalled by thomas m. Proving highly adaptable, it was also adopted by the u. This photo was then published in the vmfa 314 1968 cruise book, the black knights continue the fight and also in the squadrons 1969 cruise book. Sikorsky uh34d of hmm162 delivers supplies to south.
And with that, on november 10th 2000 the virtual vmfa 531 began to fly once more. Uss coral sea cva43 1963 westpac cruise book for sale online. In 1961, the squadron conducted carrier qualifications aboard the uss forrestal cva59. Then to danang with vmfa531 until vmfa542 came down and i rejoined them, snd yes i was in the cockpit that fired the sidewinder into the f4b across the flightline, took out the left strut, and some planes in the line behind them, ended up at the end of the flightline near the ready revetment.
Vmfa 542 usmc photos from da nang, vietnam air base may 1968aug 1970. A history of marine fighter attack squadron 531 pcn. Former nightmare captain bill gordon sent two images of vmfa5 f4bs carrying eighteen 500 lb. This model depicts a f4n cag airplane of vmfa531 attached to cvw14 embarked on the uss coral sea for the 7980 cruise to the indian ocean during the iranian hostage crisis. Full text of a history of marine fighter attack squadron 531. Tom states that there are a lot of folks from 115 that he has lost contact with and thinks it would be great to. Then in december 1970, vmfa531 was assigned to mag and then reassigned to mag11 in september 1971. The latter squadron deployed with cvw8 embarking america. Pentagon papers with appropriate section title and book, and section. If you would like your name, rank, or callsign added to your shirts, please enter this information in the order comments when checking out paying. This will be uploaded tomorrow after i put it under the microscope to check for errors.
Vmfa 531 grey ghosts us marines patch vmf pilot collector patch. Exclusive travel opportunities are a benefit of vmfa membership. This patch is about 4 in diameter, heavy twill, and 100% made in the u. The development of the virginia museum of fine arts. In june 1965, the nightmares replaced vmfa531 at da nang air base, south vietnam for five months of combat and, for a while, were the only marine jet fighters in country. In june 1965, the nightmares replaced vmfa 531 at da nang air base, south vietnam for five months of combat and, for a while, were the only marine jet fighters in country. Marine attack squadron 5 vma5 was a united states marine corps attack squadron. Marine fighter attack squadron 235 vmfa235 was a united states marine corps fighter squadron that most recently flew fa18 hornets. Cruise book 6667 cruise book 6768 cruise book 6869.
Unarmed, apart from cameras and film, the eyes of the fleet roamed far and wide throughout vietnam to bring back vital poststrike photographs and reconnaissance information. Marine attack squadron 5 vma5 was a united states marine corps attack squadron consisting of av8b harrier jets. Major schwable was designated commanding officer of the squadron, which was numbered vmfn 531. Marine fighter attack squadron 235 vmfa 235 was a united states marine corps fighter squadron that most recently flew fa18 hornets. Msgt, 1964 1998 blevins, mark, ssgt, 19711979 bonjour, richard. The photo above is from stars and stripes, a day or two after the november 1, 1968 incident. Upon return to mcas cherry point in mag24 in july 1965, the squadron was assigned.
Vma5 flying nightmares marine attack squadron usmc. All time cruise list aircraft this is a complete listing of every cruise made by the uss coral. Travel the world and enjoy vmfas artfocused itineraries. Redesignated as vmfa531 marine fighter attack squadron531 in august. Marine corps air transport association mcata, september 36, 2020. Uss coral sea cv43 world deployment cruise book year log 1983 u s navy for sale online. This model depicts a f4n cag airplane of vmfa 531 attached to cvw14 embarked on the uss coral sea for the 7980 cruise to the indian ocean during the iranian hostage crisis.
On 16 june 1964, the squadron was again deployed to mag11 at nas atsugi. One year later, vmfa531 was deployed aboard the uss forrestal cva59 for a mediterranean cruise. Mcrd san diego, ca 11 august 1966 11 october 1966 platoon 3088 send me a scanned copy of your platoon book and i will post it here. Marine fighter attack squadron 531 vmfa531 was a united states marine corps fighter squadron consisting of fa18 hornets. In june 1965, the nightmares replaced vmfa531 in ad nan, viet nam for five months of.
Our flight arrived from okinawa in the early morning. In the 6th year as a virtual marine squadron, the ghosts looked back on its real history and began to train in the helldiver and f4 phantom utilizing. Marine fighter attack squadron 531, vmfa531 grey ghosts was. Marine fighter attack squadron vmfa531 patch flying tigers. This site is a tribute to the aircraft carrier uss coral sea cv43. Full text of a history of marine fighter attack squadron 531 see other formats. Thanks for all the feedback and comments during production guys. Following the landing of the 9th meb in march, two marine fixedwing squadrons, vmcj1 and vmfa 531, later relieved by vmfa 5, joined mag16 at da nang in april. The 1965 buildup of marine aviation in vietnam paralleled that of the iii maf ground forces. Following the landing of the 9th meb in march, two marine fixedwing squadrons, vmcj1 and vmfa531, later relieved by vmfa5, joined mag16 at da nang in april. This latest release from impact decals is part 1 of a series covering vmfaw 531 vmfa 531 gray ghosts, this installment looking at the aircraft between 19581978. Marine fighter attack squadron 531 vmfa531 was a united states marine corps fighter. The able eagles were deployed to da nang, republic of vietnam, oct. I would like to hear from anyone that served with vmfa 531 during this period.
Then to danang with vmfa 531 until vmfa 542 came down and i rejoined them, snd yes i was in the cockpit that fired the sidewinder into the f4b across the flightline, took out the left strut, and some planes in the line behind them, ended up at the end of the flightline near the ready revetment. Travel the world and enjoy vmfa s artfocused itineraries. Giving a patch, with a units or individuals insignia is a military tradition intended to readily identify past and present. Visit the vmfa 542 forums opens in a new tab visit the vmfa 542 facebook page opens in a new tab vmfa 542 cruise book 19671968 79 images click a picture to see a larger view. If you have a story, scans of aircraft, bases, ships, unit personnel, insignia or operations that you would like to see posted on these pages please contact the webmaster at the mailbox below. Impact decals 148 vmfaw531vmfa531 grey ghosts part 1. Known as the death angels, the squadron participated in action during world war ii, the vietnam war and operation desert storm and were decommissioned on june 14, 1996.
Benefiting of the citizens of the commonwealth of virginia. In august 1965, vmfa 5 supported the 7th marine regiment in operation starlite the first major american operation of the war. One year later, vmfa 531 was deployed aboard the uss forrestal cva59 for a mediterranean cruise. This hardcover usmc vmfa531 1964 1965 far east cruise book is from an f4 phantom squadron that served in vietnam. Commissioned in june 1964, he gained his aviator wings in november. Tom was then transferred to vmfa531 in the fall of 1965 along with about of the squadron and he finished his viet nam tour with 531. Known as the death angels, the squadron participated in action during world war ii, the vietnam war and operation desert storm and. People have looked at this cruise book visit the vmfa 542 forums opens in a new tab visit the vmfa 542 facebook page opens in a new tab vmfa 542 far east tour 19651966 70 images click a picture to see a larger view. Marine fighter attack squadron vmfa531, flying f4b phantom iis, relieved vf74, which transitioned to f4js on board forrestal.
An outdoor retreat for museum patrons and the community. During deployments a vrc fleet tactical support squadron detachment provides carrieronboard delivery and is embarked aboard the carrier but is no real part of the air wing. Vmfa531 l39 albatros custom airplane model briefing sticks. On 25 july 1942, the first marine nightfighter squadron of 12 planes was authorized for 1 january 1943. As a member enjoy discounts and free access to many of our classes, programs, and events such as our vmfa circle lecture series.
Known as the flying nightmares, the squadron was last based at marine corps air station yuma, arizona and fell under the command of marine aircraft group mag and the 3rd marine aircraft wing 3rd maw. Known as the grey ghosts, the squadron participated in action during world war ii and the vietnam war. He has been with the division since 1964 and has worked on vietnam studies since. Vmfa531 grey ghosts us marines patch vmf pilot collector patch. On 16 june 1964, the squadron was again deployed to mag11 at nas atsugi, japan. It also appeared in in usmc phantoms in combat by lou drendel, squadronsignal publications, 1990, isbn 0897472357, page 10 and eight years later. In august 1965, vmfa5 supported the 7th marine regiment in operation starlite the first major american operation of the war. Then in december 1970, vmfa 531 was assigned to mag and then reassigned to mag11 in september 1971. I was aboard during 196465 and it was a problem at that time. Major schwable was designated commanding officer of the squadron, which was numbered vmfn531. Mag16 had been, until that time, the mebs composite helicopter group. It is in very good condition with a period mcdonnell newsletter. In june 1965, the nightmares replaced vmfa531 at da nang air base, south. This latest release from impact decals is part 1 of a series covering vmfaw531vmfa531 gray ghosts, this installment looking at the aircraft between 19581978.
Redesignated as vmfa531, marine fighter attack squadron 531, in august of 1963. Marine fighter attack squadron 531 was a united states marine corps fighter squadron consisting of fa18 hornets. The bar girls, normally the best informed source of scuttlebutt, said the rattlesnakes would be. He then joined marine fighter attack squadron 531 vmfa531 at cherry point. F4b of vmfa531 is launched from uss forrestal cva59. Vmfa531 in march 1972, in preparation for the squadrons med cruise deployment aboard the uss forrestal. Marine fighter attack squadron vmfa531 patch flying. In july 1974, he reported for duty as the executive continued 1962 1986. Cruise book year 19661967 da nang, iwakuni, chu lai. As we gather together with our brothers today in celebration, let us never forget our brothers who gave it all and now stand guard in heaven waiting for us to join them. From prehistory to present day, including the soldiers home era. I arrived in country at the end of may 1969 and was assigned to vmfa 542.
And with that, on november 10th 2000 the virtual vmfa531 began to fly once more. In the 6th year as a virtual marine squadron, the ghosts looked back on its real history and began to train in the helldiver and f4 phantom utilizing strike fighters. Vmfa 542 f4b phantom cruise book 6970 searching for this one. Vmfa531 was assigned to carrier air wing 17 cvw17 aboard the. Vmfa232 red devils f4 or f18 100% cotton quality tshirt high resolution printing full color printing customization. Our squadron initially landed in iwakuni, japan, in early october, 1965.
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