VF-71 Fighter Squadron

Navy BBS

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Chris Placco wrote on August 28, 2014

Send Email To CHRIS PLACCO

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City and State: POVIDNCE RI

Unit:

Service or Relationship: Family Member

Comments: Hello,

My dad, Oscar Angelo Placco, was an aviator on the USS Intrepid in the early/mid 50s. He passed away over two years ago and left with so many questions unanswered. He was a night fighter protecting the carrier in the North Atlantic, I believe, and flew Banshees. The Quonset connection is fitting as he was a Brown ROTC grad and married a local RI girl, my mom Bunnie (Holmes) Placco.

He told some great stories, including his carrying his Lambretta in the bomb bay of the fighter and having a wild weekend in N.Orleans with it, in the bars. He also told of a drunk skipper who's rack was filled with land crabs in Cuba, I believe, and who climbed into bed semi-comatose and immediately sobered up.

Anyway, if anyone recalls my dad please raise a toast to him, he was a wonderful father and man.

Keywords: Intrepid, banshee, hell's angels, VF71 (?), Oscar

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Harry Heist wrote on January 12, 2013

Send Email To HARRY HEIST

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City and State:

Unit:

Service or Relationship: Navy Veteran

Comments: I joined up with VF-71 in 1957 in Quonset Point
RI. I was previously at NAS Norfolk.I was then onboard
the Intrepid my first time on a carrier and went on
Operation Strikeback. Had a great time. I worked as an AT
Striker and installed radios, tacans and altimeters on
the Banshees.I was discharged in December of 1957. I am
now almost 76 years old and I wish I could do it again.
I got to France, Ireland, Gitmo, Dominican Republic,and
across the Arctic Circle.

Keywords:

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John Hedman wrote on December 19, 2012

Send Email To JOHN HEDMAN

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City and State: PENSACOLA FL

Unit: VF-71

Service or Relationship: Navy Veteran

Comments: I was attached to Fighter Squadron 71 based at NAS
Quonset Point, RI from Nov 1955 to Nov 1956. During
this time frame the squadron operated the F2H-3 Banshee
aircraft.

Keywords:

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Warren Thompson wrote on September 8, 2012

Send Email To WARREN THOMPSON

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City and State: GERMANTOWN TN

Unit:

Service or Relationship: Other

Comments: I just had my latest book published entitled:NAVAL
AVIATION IN THE KOREAN WAR'. Currently, I am writing
a book that will cover all F9F Panther operations in
the Korean War. I would like to hear from anyone that
was affiliated with VF-71 during that period.

Sincerely,

Warren Thompson

Keywords: I am writing a book on Navy F9F Panthers in the
Korean War.

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Cyrus W. Roton wrote on June 4, 2012

Send Email To CYRUS W. ROTON

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City and State: RIDGECREST CA

Unit:

Service or Relationship: Navy Veteran

Comments: Seeking whereabouts of friends I knew in '55-'58 in VF71

I was an AE1 at that time

Keywords: VF71

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John (Jack) Helt wrote on June 10, 2010

Send Email To JOHN (JACK) HELT

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City and State: BAREFOOT BAY FL

Unit:

Service or Relationship: Navy Veteran

Comments: I Was sent to VF-71 in Quonset Point R.I.Straight from Boot Camp, in March 1953, and left the squadron from the Hornet in Japan in 1955. I have been trying to find anyone who was in the squadron at that time.

Keywords: USS Bennington and USS Forestal

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Dave Schultz wrote on June 8, 2009

Send Email To DAVE SCHULTZ

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City and State: LARGO FL

Unit: VF 71

Service or Relationship: Family Member

Comments: My Dad was on the Randolph and I have been trying to find him his patch for VF71 but all I can find is the one for the wasp any help would be great. Thanks Dave

Keywords: VF 71,CAG 7 USS Randolph CVA15

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Jim Barnes wrote on June 4, 2009

Send Email To JIM BARNES

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City and State: PLYMOUTH MA

Unit: VF-71 CVG-7

Service or Relationship: Navy Veteran

Comments: I was the pilot that took the photo of Dick Yeatman's F9F-2 dropping a bomb and firing a rocket on the bridge from another F9F-2 with a K-28 camera rigged on my wing.

Keywords: USS Bon Homme Richard CVA-31

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Wayne Waller wrote on July 29, 2008

Email Update Needed

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City and State: MIDDLEBURG FL

Unit: V F 71

Service or Relationship: Family Member

Comments: Hello John,

My Dad also served in the Navy...in V F 71...on the USS Wasp, just before
it was sunk in WWII. It is comforting to know there are others out there
who are seeking info on their heritage. Sorry I could not help you but
good luck in your search.

Wayne Waller

Keywords:

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Thomas Ressetar wrote on February 22, 2002

Email Update Needed

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City and State:

Unit:

Service or Relationship: Family Member

Comments: My Father recently passed away and I was hoping if I could get some info. on what his duties were while in the VF-71. He was never the one to talk about his adventures.

Thank you.

Tom Ressetar

Keywords: Bon Homme Richard

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