WARHORSES - Patch - ATKRON 55 - SKYHAWKS - YANKEE STATION - Vietnam War - 5475

Description

WARHORSES - VA-55 - Flight Patch
United States Navy - Air Attack Squadron 55
Measures - 4 inches in diameter (10 cms)
ATKRON 55 – VA-55 – Warhorses – Vietnam War
30–31 October 1962: Participated in cross deck operations on HMS Victorious in the South China Sea.
April 1963: USS Ticonderoga, with VA-55 embarked, deployed to the South China Sea following several defeats of neutralist forces by the Communists in Laos. After a ceasefire agreement was arranged, the ship resumed normal Seventh Fleet operations on 5 May.
July–September 1964: Participated in special Yankee Team operations involving missions over Laos and South Vietnam.
2 and 4 August 1964: The squadron flew air support for USS Maddox and USS Turner Joy while the destroyers were on Desoto Patrol missions (intelligence collection missions begun in 1962) off the coast of North Vietnam.
5 August 1964: VA-55's A-4s 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.
October–November 1964: The squadron continued to operate from Ticonderoga off the coast of South Vietnam and participated in special Yankee Team operations, flying missions over South Vietnam.
3 June 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 onehanded carrier landing. For his exploits he was awarded the Silver Star and the Purple Heart.
15 June 1966: Lieutenant Commander Theodore F. Kopfman was awarded the Silver Star, in absentia, for his actions on a mission over North Vietnam. During the sortie his aircraft was shot down and he was taken prisoner. He was released by North Vietnam and returned to the United States in 1973.
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, heavy air strikes against targets in North Vietnam.
June 1973: Missions were flown in support of Operation End Sweep, the clearing of mines in the territorial waters of North Vietnam.
Oct 1973: With the outbreak of the Yom Kippur War, the USS Hancock, with VA-55 embarked, was directed to leave Yankee Station (Vietnam) and operate in the Arabian Sea and Gulf of Aden.
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