The VA-163 Saints
Patch courtesy of Wynn Foster collection.
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The Squadron Duty Officer is the squadron contact point, who communicates
with former squadron members about squadron information, sea stories,
squadron pictures, scuttlebutt, and gathers information about squadron buddies.
Please contact the Squadron SDO as listed here.
The Table Of Content:
Patch:
- VA-163 SAINTS patch was established on January 31, 1961. It was conceived by ENS Joe Zieman
and designed by ADJAN Ernest Jessen and AN John Langlinias, in shades of blue, gray, and gold the
patch or Crest of the VA-163 "Saints" depicted the squadron's all-weather, day and night capability
to deliver nuclear weapons over land and sea. Ironically, the design carried no hint of the
conventional weapons delivery that was to occupy the squadron during half of its active life span.
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Handle:
Aircraft:
Date Type First Received - - - - - - Type of Aircraft:
Heritage:
- September 1, 1960, Attack Squadron ONE HUNDRED SIXTY-THREE - VA-163 was established at Naval Air Station Cecil Field, Florida.
- April 1, 1969, (April Fool's Day), VA-163 was placed on inactive status.
- July 1, 1971, Attack Squadron ONE HUNDRED SIXTY-THREE was disestablished.
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Commanders:
- Date Assumed Command - - - - - - - Commanding Officer
- September 1, 1960 - - - - - CDR Jack M. Manherz
- September 19, 1961- - - - - CDR Daniel V. Marshall, Jr.
- October 14, 1962- - - - - - CDR Merton D. Short
- January 22, 1964- - - - - - CDR Jarl J. Diffendorfer
- December 30, 1964 - - - - - CDR Harry T. Jenkins, Jr.
- November 13, 1965 - - - - - CDR Wynn F. Foster
- July 30, 1966 - - - - - - - CDR Ronald H. Caldwell
- July 10, 1967 - - - - - - - CDR Bryan W. Compton, Jr.
- July 10, 1968 - - - - - - - CDR Elbert D. Lighter.
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Home Ports:
- Date - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Location:
- September 1, 1960 - - - - - Naval Air Station Cecil Field
- September 26, 1961- - - - - Naval Air Station Lemoore
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Air Wings:
Date - - - - - - - - - - - - Tail code - - - - - - - Air Wing
- September 1, 1960 - - - - - - AH - - - - - CVG-16 / CVW-16*
- March 1, 1968 - - - - - - - - NP - - - - - CVW-21
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Deployments:
Departure & Return - - - - - - - - Air Wing - Carrier - Aircraft - - Area of Operations:
- 06-07-62 to 12-17-62 - CVG-16 - CVA 34 - A4D-2 - - WestPac
- 08-01-63 to 03-10-64 - CVW-16 - CVA 34 - A-4B- - - WestPac
- 04-05-65 to 12-16-65 - CVW-16 - CVA 34 - A-4E- - - Vietnam-Combat
- 05-26-66 to 11-16-66 - CVW-16 - CVA 34 - A-4E- - - Vietnam-Combat
- 06-16-67 to 01-31-68 - CVW-16 - CVA 34 - A-4E- - - Vietnam-Combat
- 07-18-68 to 03-03-69 - CVW-21 - CVA 19 - A-4E- - - Vietnam-Combat
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Photograph Albums:
Squadron Photograph Album
Squadron Off-Duty Album
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Events:
- September 1, 1961:
Attack Squadron ONE HUNDRED SIXTY-THREE was established at Naval Air Station Cecil Field in Florida,
moved cross-country to its new home base at Naval Air Station Lemoore, California. The Saints were
assigned the Douglas A4D-2 (A-4B) Skyhawk
- June 7, 1962:
Attack Squadron ONE HUNDRED SIXTY-THREE deployed on board the United States Ship Oriskany CVA-34,
for thier first WestPac cruise (06-07-62 to 12-17-62), flying the A4D-2 Skyhawk.
- December 16, 1962:
VA-163 participated in a massive fire power demonstration in honor of a visit by President John F. Kennedy
to the Naval Ordnance Test Station, China Lake, California.
- August 8, 1963:
Attack Squadron ONE HUNDRED SIXTY-THREE deployed on board the United States Ship Oriskany CVA-34,
for their second WestPac cruise (08-01-63 to 03-10-64), flying the A-4B Skyhawk.
- November 1963:
Deployed to WestPac on board the Oriskany, the Saints operated in the South China Sea during the
governmental crisis that saw the overthrow of South Vietnam President Diem.
- March 1964:
The Saints were assigned the Douglas A-4E Skyhawk
- April 5, 1965:
The Saints departed San Diego on board United States Ship Oriskany CVA 34, for third WestPac cruise
and its first combat deployment (04-05-65 to 12-16-65) in the Vietnam War.
- June 1965:
Commander H. T. Jenkins, VA-163 Skipper, led the first major strike of the war in Skyhawks against
the Dam Dinh, North Vietnam POL storage facility.
- July 18, 1965:
A-4E Skyhawk BuNo. 151089 was lost in an operational accident. The pilot, LT Malcom Arthur Avore was killed.
- September 9, 1965:
CDR (later VADM) James B. Stockdale, Commander Air Wing 16, was shot down by enemy anti-aircraft
fire while flying with VA-163 in A-4E Skyhawk BuNo. 151134 AH 352 on a combat mission over North Vietnam.
Stockdale spent 7+ years as a Prisoner Of War until his release in early 1973.
- November 7, 1965:
Lieutenant Commander Charles G. Wack was awarded the Silver Star for leading a strike against Surface
to Air Missile sites south of Nam Dinh, North Vietnam. All though his Skyhawk was badly damaged by
antiaircraft fire he pressed his attack and successfully completed his mission before being forced
to eject from his A-4E Skyhawk BuNo. 150071 AH 343 when it caught fire. Commander Wack's ejection
was successful and he was recovered.
- November 13, 1965:
Commander Harry Jenkins, the Saint's commanding officer, was shot down in A-4E Skyhawk BuNo. 151067 AH 340 by
enemy anti-aircraft fire during a combat mission over North Vietnam. Jenkins spent 7+ years as a Prisoner of War.
Commander Jenkins was released in February 1973.
- November 17, 1965:
A-4E Skyhawk BuNo. 151083 AH 350 was shot down by anti-aircraft fire during a combat mission over North Vietnam.
The pilot Lieutenant Commander Roy H. "Hap" Bowling was Killed In Action.
- Late March-Early April 1966:
VA-163 A-4E AH/3xx Crashed on bombing range Chocolate Mountains, CA during
simulated Alpha strike from Oriskany. Dan Kapner killed.
From CHook's book p151-2.
- May 26, 1966:
The VA-163 Saints departed San Diego on board United States Ship Oriskany CVA 34, for fourth WestPac cruise
and its second combat deployment (05-26-66 to 11-16-6) in the Vietnam War.
- July 23, 1966:
Commander Wynn F. Foster, the Saint's commanding officer,
was personally hit by antiaircraft fire over
Vinh, North Vietnam; Commander Foster suffered the loss of his right arm. Using only his left hand,
Commander Foster piloted his crippled Skyhawk to sea and ejected, where personnel of the United States
Ship Reeves (DLG-24) rescued him. Commander Foster was awarded the Silver Star for his actions.
Please see the SOURCES PAGE for information about obtaining
Captain Foster's book recounting the action.
- August 27, 1966:
A-4E Skyhawk BuNo. 150079 was lost in an operational accident. The pilot was recovered.
- October 23, 1966:
A-4E Skyhawk BuNo. 150072 was lost in an operational accident. The pilot was recovered.
- October 26, 1966:
A major fire, resulting from mis-handling of a Mk-24 illumination flare, occurred on board United
States Ship Oriskany while the ship was conducting strike operations from Yankee Station in the Tonkin Gulf.
Forty-four men lost their lives, including twenty-four Air Wing pilots. Four VA-163 pilots
- Lieutenant Commander Clem Morisette,
- Lieutenant Dale Miller,
- Lieutenant Junior Grade Tom Spitzer and
- Lieutenant Junior Grade Ron Tardio
were casualties of the fire. Several squadron personnel received meritorious awards for heroic
actions during the fire. VA-163 A-4E Skyhawk BuNo. 151075 was lost in the fire. Oriskany was
withdrawn from combat and returned to the United States in November.
- June 26, 1967:
After Oriskany's damages were repaired, the VA-163 Saints deployed with their A-4E Skyhawks for
their fifth WestPac cruise and third Vietnam War combat deployment cruise (06-16-67 to 01-31-68)
as part of Air Wing 16. This cruise provided heavy combat losses -- between June and January Oriskany lost
twenty pilots either MIA or KIA.
- July 12, 1967:
A-4E Skyhawk BuNo. 150102 was lost in an operational accident. The pilot was recovered.
- July 17, 1967:
Lieutenant Commander Marvin Reynolds earned the Navy Cross for leading and coordinating a dangerous,
complex, and successful rescue of a pilot downed in North Vietnam.
- July 20, 1967:
A-4E Skyhawk BuNo. 150097 AH 312 was shot down by anti-aircraft fire during a combat mission over
North Vietnam. The pilot Lieutenant R. W. Kuhl successfully ejected and was recovered.
- July 25, 1967:
A-4E Skyhawk BuNo. 149961 AH 304 was shot down by small arms fire during a combat mission over
North Vietnam. The pilot Lieutenant Commander Donald V. Davis was Killed in Action.
- August 4, 1967:
A-4E Skyhawk BuNo. 150052 AH 313 was shot down by a surface-to-air missile (SAM) during a combat
mission over North Vietnam. The pilot Lieutenant Junior Grade Ralph C. Bisz did not survive.
- August 21, 1967:
Squadron Commander, CDR Bryan Compton, and
LCDR James Busey earned Navy Crosses for leadership
and coordination skills in an attack strike over North Vietnam that resulted in destruction of
the Hanoi thermal power plant.
- August 31, 1967:
A-4E Skyhawk BuNo. 152058 AH 315 was shot down by a surface-to-air missile (SAM) during a combat
mission over North Vietnam. The pilot Lieutenant Junior Grade David J. Carey successfully ejected
and was captured and made Prisoner of War.
- August 31, 1967:
A-4E Skyhawk BuNo. 149975 AH 310 was shot down by a surface-to-air missile (SAM) during a combat
mission over North Vietnam. The pilot Lieutenant Commander H. A. Stafford successfully ejected
and was captured and made Prisoner of War.
- September 10, 1967:
A-4E Skyhawk BuNo. 150047 was lost in an operational accident. The pilot was recovered.
- October 20, 1967:
Lieutenant (Junior Grade) Denny Earl, with both legs shattered by North Vietnamese
anti-aircraft fire, successfully lands his A-4 "Skyhawk" attack plane aboard the
Oriskany in the Gulf of Tonkin. See the Photo Page.
- October 22, 1967:
A-4E Skyhawk BuNo. 150116 AH 306 was shot down by a surface-to-air missile (SAM) during a combat
mission over North Vietnam. The pilot Lieutenant Junior Grade James E. Dooley was Killed in Action.
- October 24, 1967:
A-4E Skyhawk BuNo. 149963 AH 311 was shot down by anti-aircraft fire during a combat mission over
North Vietnam. The pilot Lieutenant Junior Grade R. A. Foulks successfully ejected and was recovered.
- October 25, 1967:
A-4E Skyhawk BuNo. 150086 AH 315 was shot down by anti-aircraft fire during a combat mission over
North Vietnam. The pilot Lieutenant J. M. Krommenhoek is Missing in Action.
- October 26, 1967:
A-4E Skyhawk BuNo. 149959 AH 300 was shot down by a surface-to-air missile (SAM) during a combat
mission over North Vietnam. The pilot Lieutenant Commander John S. McCain III, successfully ejected
and was made Prisoner of War.
- January 5, 1968:
A-4E Skyhawk BuNo. 150131 AH 303 was shot down by anti-aircraft fire during a combat mission over
North Vietnam. The pilot Lieutenant Junior Grade R. E. "Skip" Foulks was Killed in Action.
- 1967 tour summary:
The 1967 Oriskany deployment subjected Air Wing 16 pilots to some of the heaviest air-to-ground
combat that occurred during the Vietnam War. The VA-163 Saints lost eight pilots.
- Shot down and made Prisoners Of War ---
- LCDR Al Stafford
- LCDR John McCain (later Senator from Arizona) and
- LTJG David Carey.
- Killed In Action ---
- LCDR Don Davis,
- LTJG Ralph Bisz,
- LTJG James Dooley,
- LTJG J. M. Krommenhoek, and
- LTJG R. E. "Skip" Foulks.
- These men gave their lives for the United States of America.
Thesis by LCDR Peter Fey U.S.N. on events JUN 1967 to JAN 1968.
The "Military Channel" has aired a program that covers the actions of the USS Oriskany during the above time frame. It is titled "Hugging the Deck">
- July 18, 1968:
The VA-163 Saints deployed with their A-4E Skyhawks for their sixth and final WestPac cruise and
their fourth Vietnam War combat deployment (07-18-68 to 03-03-69), as part of Air Wing 21 on board
United States Ship Hancock CVA-19.
- July 25, 1968 LCDR William Rodney Rankin was killed when after a successful catapult launch from the
USS Hancock his Skyhawk descended and crashed into the water.
- April 1, 1969(April Fool's Day):
VA-163 was placed on inactive status.
- July 1, 1971:
Attack Squadron ONE HUNDRED SIXTY-THREE - was disestablished.
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Awards:
Award - - - - - - - - - Inclusive Dates:
- Armed Forces Expeditionary Medals:
- 09-05-63 to 09-13-63
- 11-03-63 to 11-08-63
- 05-07-65 to 06-02-65
- 06-10-65 to 07-03-65
- 09-17-65 to 09-18-65
- 12-02-68 to 12-04-68
- Navy Unit Commendation:
- 05-10-65 to 12-06-65
- 06-12-66 to 11-01-66
- 07-14-67 to 01-12-68
- 08-01-68 to 02-22-69
- Republic of Vietnam Meritorious Unit Citations:
- 10-02-65
- 10-30-65
- 11-01-65
- 11-03-65
- 11-07-65
- 11-11-65 to 11-12-65
- 07-06-66 to 07-07-66
- 09-26-68
- 09-29-68
- 10-09-68 to 10-11-68
- 10-13-68
- 11-02-68
- 11-07-68 to 11-08-68
- 11-10-68 to 11-11-68
- 11-13-68 to 11-19-68
- 11-21-68 to 11-26-68
- 12-21-68 to 12-24-68
- 12-26-68 to 12-28-68
- 12-30-68
- 01-01-69 to 01-03-69
- 01-07-69 to 01-14-69
- 01-31-69 to 02-08-69
- Vietnam Service Medal
- 07-04-65 to 07-18-65
- 08-09-65 to 09-11-65
- 09-30-65 to 10-19-65
- 10-28-65 to 11-27-65
- 06-29-66 to 07-29-66
- 08-06-66 to 09-08-66
- 09-23-66 to 10-26-66
- 07-13-67 to 08-08-67
- 08-17-67 to 09-30-67
- 10-04-67 to 11-03-67
- 11-19-67 to 12-17-67
- 12-30-67 to 01-13-68
- 08-21-68 to 09-04-68
- 09-13-68 to 10-15-68
- 10-23-68 to 11-28-68
- 12-20-68 to 01-15-69
- 01-29-69 to 02-10-69
- During the Saint's four Vietnam War combat deployments, VA-163 was awarded;
- six Armed Forces Expeditionary Medals,
- three Navy Unit Commendations,
- 22 Republic of Vietnam Meritorious Unit Citations, and
- 17 Vietnam Service Medals
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Sources of information:
- Wynn Foster
- Harry S. Gann
- Ed Copher
This Skyhawk web page is dedicated to Commander Harry Tarleton Jenkins, Jr., USN,
the fifth commanding officer of the VA-163 "Saints."
SILVER STAR
In May 1965, then-Commander Jenkins led the squadron in its third deployment to the Western Pacific
theater and first involvement in combat, which included five extended periods of hazardous flying from
Yankee Station in the Gulf of Tonkin during the Vietnam War. Under Jenkins' leadership, the Saints
compiled a notable record of successful combat missions, including the first major Navy air strike
of the war (led by CDR Jenkins), without loss of a pilot. Then, on 13 November 1965, two weeks prior
to the squadron's scheduled date of departure from the combat theater for return to the U.S., Commander
Jenkins' A-4 Skyhawk was struck by enemy anti-aircraft fire during a combat mission over North Vietnam.
With his aircraft damaged and out of control, Jenkins was forced to eject over enemy territory.
He was captured by the North Vietnamese and spent almost seven and a half years as a Prisoner of War.
Jenkins term as a POW included barbarous torture and other inhuman treatment, yet his spirit was unbroken.
One of his first public statements after his release from captivity in 1973 was a buoyant: "I feel great.
When do I get command of a ship?" Promoted to the rank of Captain in absentia while he was a POW, Jenkins
subsequently served successful assignments as Commanding Officer of USS Duluth (LPD-6) and as Commander,
Amphibious Squadron Five. He retired from active duty in June 1978.
Captain Jenkins loved to fly and, in post-retirement civilian life in Southern California, he spent
several years constructing and flying his own experimental private aircraft, a kit-built Ruttan "LongEasy."
Jenkins was a member of the Experimental Aircraft Association and regularly flew his aircraft to the
association's convention-air show held each summer at Oshkosh, Wisconsin. On August 2, 1995, while returning
from his seventh visit to the Oshkosh event, Captain Jenkins was killed when his LongEasy crashed on take-off
from the Prescott, Arizona airport. His memorial service, held in Spreckles Park in his hometown of Coronado,
California, was attended by more than 300 of his friends and admirers from around the United States.
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