VF-62 Fighter Squadron

Navy BBS

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Thomas E. (T.E.) Moore wrote on February 26, 2017

Send Email To THOMAS E. (T.E.) MOORE

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City and State:

Unit:

Service or Relationship: Other

Comments: These pilots and Chiefs, took it to the Communist enemy in the Korean War. -----------------------
Lt.(jg). E.F. Murray --- Lt. E.F. Myers --- Lt. J.J. Goodens (L.S.O.) --- Lt. A.L. Rowe --- Lt.(jg).
W.P. Davis --- Ens. R.M. Newman --- Lt.(jg). C. Cech --- Lcdr. W.W. Kelly (C.O.) --- Lt.(jg).
K.W. Colman ---Ens. M.R. Robillard --- Lt. N.A. Claeys --- Lt. H.A. Morrow --- Lt. A.D. Walker --- Lt.(jg). G.D. Watters --- Lt. G.A. Geannakouri --- Lt. J.L. Sullivan --- Ens. W.D. Powell ---
Lt. R.L. Murphy --- Ens. E.E. Amende --- Lt.(jg). W.E. Bickert --- Lt. H.C. Joines --- Lcdr.
E.C. Griffin (X.O.) --- Lt.(jg). J.W. Smith . ----------- Chiefs : AMC. J.W. Baird,Jr. --- ADC. S.S.
Stout --- ATC. C.T. Young --- AOC. H.T. Scott --- AEC. L.S. Carter --- ADC. F.F. Farragut ---
ADC. L. McClanahan --- ADC. W.A. Anderson --- ADC. J.P. Carter --- AOC. J.A. Davis .

Keywords: Korean War -- VF-62 -- Gladiators -- CAG-4 -- USS LAKE CHAMPLAIN-CVA-39 -- (CHAMP) --- F2H-2 --- Banshee Jets

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Bill Flockton wrote on May 4, 2013

Send Email To BILL FLOCKTON

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City and State: SALEM NH

Unit:

Service or Relationship: Interested Person

Comments: looking for a antonio napoli or maybe a name close.in the
boston area about that time frame

Keywords: uss wainwright about late 1965 ish or maybe something else in
navy or navy airforce

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Clifford Riggs wrote on March 11, 2013

Send Email To CLIFFORD RIGGS

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City and State: CORPUS CHRISTI TX

Unit: VF-62 GLADIATORS

Service or Relationship: Navy Veteran

Comments: Caught up with 62 in spring of 1952 at Cecil field before Med
cruise. Also made Korean cruise in 53. After that i hung around for
another six years. Fasron 6 Jax, Port Lyautey, French Morocco, VP-5
Jax. Loved Africa. Jax ????? I'll leave this one alone!!! As for the
Banshee F2H2 there is on on the flight deck of the Lexington here
in Corpus and I pass it quite often. Nuff said.

Keywords: ,

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Richard Horinka wrote on October 25, 2012

Send Email To RICHARD HORINKA

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City and State: ORMOND BEACH FL

Unit: VF-62

Service or Relationship: Navy Veteran

Comments: Just attended 2012 squadron reunion in Charleston,SC.
Next year around Oct12 in Gettysburg,PA

Keywords: USS WASP USS CORAL SEA USS LAKE CHAMPLAIN(KOREA)53-54
AT working on F2H2 Banshees

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Richard Horinka wrote on October 25, 2012

Send Email To RICHARD HORINKA

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City and State: ORMOND BEACH FL

Unit: VF-62

Service or Relationship: Navy Veteran

Comments: Just attended 2012 squadron reunion in Charleston,SC.
Next year around Oct12 in Gettysburg,PA

Keywords: USS WASP USS CORAL SEA USS LAKE CHAMPLAIN(KOREA)53-54
AT working on F2H2 Banshees

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Gerald Evans wrote on October 10, 2012

Send Email To GERALD EVANS

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City and State: WINSTON SALEM NC

Unit: VF-62

Service or Relationship: Navy Veteran

Comments:

Keywords: Looking for squadron mates during 1954 Med Cruise on
USS Coral Sea. Also those who knew a Plane Captain
John Hodnutt, a good friend of mine. I was an AM-2
doing trouble-shooting duties on flight deck during
launch and recovery. I was discharged in February
1955! Originally from Southern Ohio (Athens)

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Ed Koester wrote on September 1, 2012

Send Email To ED KOESTER

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City and State: FL

Unit:

Service or Relationship: Navy Veteran

Comments:

Keywords:

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Michael DeLorenzo wrote on July 5, 2012

Send Email To MICHAEL DELORENZO

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City and State: RUTHERFORDTON NC

Unit: VF62

Service or Relationship: Navy Veteran

Comments: Was an AE2 was with VF62 with Bearcats and then we got the Banchee.
Thats when the AE's had to work

Keywords: Blue nose certificate in 1949 on CVB42.Med cruise on the Oriskany in
1950

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Tom Kirk. wrote on March 7, 2012

Send Email To TOM KIRK.

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City and State:

Unit:

Service or Relationship: Navy Veteran

Comments: I am nearing retirement (67)and am looking back. I
have lots of good memories of those days on the Shang.
I have done many things after departing the Navy
including a long teaching career. I have been in the
last ten years back in the aviation world. I
communicate with a couple of folks from the squadron.

Keywords: Seagoing Boomerangs

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Greg McGovern wrote on March 3, 2012

Email Update Needed

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City and State: FALOUUTH ME

Unit: VF-62 ORDINANCEM

Service or Relationship: Navy Veteran

Comments:

Keywords: Med Cruise 1951. 82 and still doing 32 knots.

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Greg Byington wrote on February 8, 2012

Send Email To GREG BYINGTON

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City and State: FLEMING ISLAND FL

Unit:

Service or Relationship: Family Member

Comments: Looking for anyone who remembers my father Melvin
Byington. He was the VF-62's Maintance Chief from
1961-1965

Keywords:

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J.D. Hills wrote on August 1, 2011

Send Email To J.D. HILLS

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City and State: POMPANO BEACH FL

Unit: VF 62 ON BOARD THE ESSEX AND SHANGARLI

Service or Relationship: Navy Veteran

Comments: Getting old.

Keywords: Gene Krebes where are you.

I am in Pompano Beach Fl 

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Blanton Jones wrote on June 16, 2011

Send Email To BLANTON JONES

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City and State: DE LEON TX

Unit: VF 62 MECHANIC

Service or Relationship: Other

Comments:

Keywords: SERVED AS PLANE CAPTAIN AND ENGINE MAINT. IN 1958 1959 ABOARD THE USS ESSEX. NEARLY WENT ON AN AROUND THE WORLD CRUISE.LAND STATIONED AT CECIL FIELD FLA. 

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Ron Kolakowski wrote on October 7, 2010

Send Email To RON KOLAKOWSKI

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City and State:

Unit:

Service or Relationship: Navy Veteran

Comments: My father was CO of VF-62 on Essex in 1958 during the Lebanon Crisis.

To read his account of the events go to the following URL:

http://www.acig.org/artman/publish/article_259.shtml

I would be happy to talk to anyone who was in the squadron. I have the original squadron patch and some film of flight operations aboard USS Essex involving VF-62.

Best
Ron Kolakowski

Keywords: FJ-3M

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Peter Whitney wrote on August 31, 2010

Send Email To PETER WHITNEY

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City and State:

Unit: VF-62 USS ESSEX

Service or Relationship: Navy Veteran

Comments: Norm Kenneally on the 1958 Lebanon Cruise with us, he
was ships company,has self published a book he wrote.
Its called THE COLD WARRIOR.It makes very fine reading.He sells it for less to those on the cruise.

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Marty Adduci wrote on March 13, 2009

Send Email To MARTY ADDUCI

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City and State: NY

Unit: VF-62

Service or Relationship: Navy Veteran

Comments: Served with VF-62 from 61 thru 64, left from the Med for NAS oceana

Keywords: VF-62

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Jeffrey Peterson wrote on February 27, 2009

Email Update Needed

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City and State: FORT WAYNE IN

Unit: VF-62

Service or Relationship: Navy Veteran

Comments: Looking for any one attached to VF-62 during that period.

Keywords: Was attached to VF-62 from 1965 to 1967
2 Med cruises
1 cuban cruise
AQF-3

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Walter Hulse wrote on May 9, 2008

Email Update Needed

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City and State:

Unit: VA-106

Service or Relationship: Navy Veteran

Comments: In July of 1955 VF-62 with the Cougar came to an End and became VA-106 and transitioned to the A4 over the next year. In November of 1955 the Navy reinstated VF-62 with the F-8 Fighter. The two Squadrons are not related and can not trace their History or Commanding Officers or Linage back to each other. Two different Squadrons with two different Great Historys.

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Stark Sims III wrote on April 2, 2008

Email Update Needed

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City and State: TAMPA FL

Unit: VF - 62 - AVIATION ELECTRICIAN

Service or Relationship: Other

Comments:

Keywords: When I was in VF-62 from 1961-1964 we were known as the BOOMERANGS. Is that patch still recognized?

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Stark Sims III wrote on April 2, 2008

Email Update Needed

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City and State: TAMPA FL

Unit: VF - 62 - AVIATION ELECTRICIAN

Service or Relationship: Navy Veteran

Comments:

Keywords: I was an aviation electrician with VF-62 from 1961-1964. I was in the Cuban crisis on the USS Lexington and in Gitmo. I was on the Shang CVA-38 for a Med cruise. I now live in Tampa.

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Barbara Gordon wrote on October 21, 2007

Send Email To BARBARA GORDON

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City and State:

Unit:

Service or Relationship: Interested Person

Comments: I have three patches that I am trying to identify the time period and war. The first is a round US Naval Air Station Key West Floriday, the next is a 2x2 squar white patch with a bird looking thing with a sword through it. The last is a shield dark blue with red outline with a yellow gladiator looking guy with an airplane it also says Crusader. I am trying to identify the time perio, war, and branch for these patchs. Any help would be appreciated.

Keywords:

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Jim Gibson wrote on July 8, 2007

Email Update Needed

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City and State: ATLANTA GA

Unit: VF-62

Service or Relationship: Navy Veteran

Comments:

Keywords: VF-62, Shangri-La, USS Independence, Jerry Kerr, Alex Purves, F8 Crusader

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Richard Schoolcraft wrote on March 29, 2007

Email Update Needed

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City and State:

Unit:

Service or Relationship: Navy Veteran

Comments: I was with VF-62 from 1961 to 1965. Rode four "bird farms" with them and alert duty at Boca Chica Fl. during the missle crisis.

Keywords: CVA-16 CVA-38 CVA-62 CVAN-65 NAS BOCA CHICA

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Arthur Sarles wrote on March 19, 2007

Send Email To ARTHUR SARLES

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City and State: PRATTSVILLE NY

Unit: FIGHTER SQUADRON VA-106

Service or Relationship: Navy Veteran

Comments: I don't know how many VF-62 guys are out there that do not know we have a reunion every year with them included. VA-106 has been having a reunion in Jacksonville,Florida most of the the time for the past six years. VF-62 asked if they could join our reunion being we took over where they left off. We welcomed them gladly bout 3 years ago. We have about 12 of you fellas in our reunion every year. VF-62 and VA-106 are one of the same. We took over when VF-62 was de-comissioned.

Keywords: Shangri-la and the Mediteranean

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Gloria Williams (Amos) wrote on February 7, 2007

Send Email To GLORIA WILLIAMS (AMOS)

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City and State: MILLEDGEVILLE GA

Unit: FAMILY MEMBER, JOHN KEMP, IN VF-62

Service or Relationship: Family Member

Comments: My brother-in-law, John Kemp, was in VF-62 during '56-'57 and also a friend, Charles Miller from Oklahoma, was in that squadron. John lives in Orlando,Fl. and would like to contact Charles Miller.

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Bill Napoli wrote on April 26, 2006

Send Email To BILL NAPOLI

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City and State: CLEARWATER FL

Unit: VF-62

Service or Relationship: Navy Veteran

Comments: Would love to form a reunion of my former navy friends. I was in VF-62 at Cecil filed from 1963-1966.

Friends like Bingenheimer, Holstein, Schoolcraft, LeFave and more. Where are you, I would love to hear from anyone from those great days.

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Bill Query wrote on March 9, 2005

Email Update Needed

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City and State:

Unit:

Service or Relationship: -

Comments: Joined VF-62 in 1958 when VF-173 was decommisioned. Completed Med. cruise in 1959. Flew the FJ-3 and later FJ-3M. Had slight problem on two occasions that resulted in two ditchings, one astern and one off the angle deck when number two assresting wire parted.

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Bill Sweeney SR. wrote on November 28, 2004

Email Update Needed

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City and State: CUDDEBACKVILLE NY

Unit: VF-62

Service or Relationship: Navy Veteran - Korea

Comments: LOOKING FOR OLD BUDDIES FROM VF-62 1956/57

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Don Hastings wrote on October 18, 2004

Email Update Needed

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City and State: AURORA IN

Unit: VF-62 AD-3

Service or Relationship: Navy Veteran - Korea

Comments: would like to hear from anyone in vf-62 from mar.1956 to aug.1957

Keywords: cag-202 vf-62 cva-15

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Doug Jones wrote on February 9, 2004

Email Update Needed

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City and State: ANNAPOLIS MD

Unit: VF 62 GLADIATORS

Service or Relationship: Family Member

Comments: Looking for anyone who knew my father, Harvey Carter Jones. He was an airframe structural mechanic (not exactly sure about the proper rate and rank...I was with the Air Force) assigned to the VF-62. He served aboard the Oriskany, the Coral Sea, and he was aboard the Lake Champlain during his time in Korea. I would be happy to chat with anyone who knew my father, please feel free to email me. I am also looking for any memorabilia such as cruise patches and such.

Keywords: vf-62, gladiators, task force 77, korea, lake champlain, oriskany, coral sea, jacksonville, north carolina, cruise patches, carter

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Robert Mc Kinney wrote on February 5, 2004

Email Update Needed

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City and State:

Unit: VF 62- USS ESSEX

Service or Relationship: -

Comments: i miss the good old days. only thing that is old now is me. would like to find my chief po c h woodward.

Keywords: aircraft electrican fj3m aircraft. 2 trips to med, based at cecil field and at mayport navel base.

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Jim McGuire wrote on July 8, 2003

Email Update Needed

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City and State: MARTINSVILLE IN

Unit: RETIRED

Service or Relationship: Navy Veteran - Korea

Comments: I was in VF-62 from commissioning 1955 to early 1956. I left the unit just before it's shakedown cruise aboard the USS Randolf in early 1966. At the time I left the squadron I believe they were just designing a squadron patch. We commissioned with F9F-6's before they were painted we got some F9F-9's and before they were painted we switched to FJ-3's. The first FJ-3's were Blue and before they were painted we switched to white FJ-3's. The reason I remember those details is I was the painter on all of them. I have pictures of the aircraft on the flight line at Cecil Field Florida. I was discharged before the shakedown cruise took effect. I later joined the USAF and retired in 1972. I would be interested in sharing any information.

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Arthur Sarles wrote on February 6, 2003

Email Update Needed

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City and State:

Unit:

Service or Relationship: Friend of Veteran

Comments: I belonged to VA-106 which originated from VF-62

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