VA-23 Black Knights

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VF 653 Warrior Dragon - 1951
Drawn by Bud Southworth
VF-151
VA-23 Black Knight - 1970
Drawn by Jim Ritchie

Patch
  • VF-653's "Warrior Dragon" patch was authorized February 7, 1951. The central figure is the "Warrior Dragon" symbolizing the terrifying qualities representative of a fighter squadron, and the shield portraying its strength.
  • A "Knight's Crest" patch was adopted by VF-151 Black Knights sometime in 1953 - 1954. This patch displays a knight's helmet mounted above a shield over a scroll bearing the Latin phrase "In Omnia Paratus" (always prepared). Under the patch was a scroll inscribed with "FIGHTING ONE FIFTY ONE."
  • In 1956 the basic VF-151 "Knight's Crest" patch was modified by VA-151 Black Knights. This patch kept the basic VF-151 elements but the scroll under the patch was changed to read "ATTACK SQUADRON 151."
  • In 1959 the basic VF-151 "Knight's Crest" patch was again modified by VA-23 Black Knights. This patch kept the basic VF-151 elements but the scroll under the patch was changed to read "ATTACK SQUADRON 23." Over the years the shape of the helmet changed as did the plume colors and shape. A stylized final version of the VA-23 Black Knights patch is displayed above.
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Handle
Heritage
  • December 1949, Reserve Fighter Squadron SIX HUNDRED FIFTY-THREE (VF-653) Dragons established.
  • February 1, 1951, VF-653 Dragons were called to active duty.
  • February 4, 1953, VF-653 was redesignated as VF-151, Black Knights - Fighter Squadron ONE HUNDRED FIFTY-ONE.
  • February 7, 1956, VF-151 was redesignated as VA-151, Black Knights - Attack Squadron ONE HUNDRED FIFTY-ONE.
  • February 23, 1959, VA-151 was redesignated as VA-23, Black Knights - Attack Squadron TWENTY THREE.
  • April 1, 1970, (April Fool's Day) VA-23, Black Knights - disestablished.
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Home Ports
    Date - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Location:
  • December 1949- - - - - - - - Naval Air Station Akron
  • April 16, 1951 - - - - - - - Naval Air Station Alameda
  • September 30, 1961 - - - - - Naval Air Station Lemoore

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Air Wings
    Date - - - - - - - - - - - - Tail code - - - - - - - Air Wing
  • April 5, 1951- - - - - - - - H - - - - - - CVG-15
  • August 3, 1951 - - - - - - - H - - - - - - ATG-1
  • July 3, 1952 - - - - - - - - H - - - - - - CVG-15
  • November 1, 1952 - - - - - - U/NA* - - - - ATG-1
  • February 24, 1959- - - - - - NE- - - - - - CVG-2/CVW-2 **
  • July 1, 1967 - - - - - - - - NM- - - - - - CVW-19
  • * The squadron deployed with ATG-1 but used its parent air group tail code (H) until the tail code "IJ" was assigned to ATG-1 on July 24, 1956. ATG-1's tail code was changed from U to NA July 1, 1957.
  • ** December 20, 1963 - Carrier Air Groups were redesignated Carrier Air Wings (CVG-2 became CVW-2).

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Deployments
  • 10-12-51 to 07-03-52 - ATG-1- - CV 45- - F4U 4/4B - Western Pacific/Korea
  • 03-30-53 to 11-28-53 - ATG-1- - CVA 21 - F9F-2- - - Western Pacific/Korea
  • 09-01-54 to 04-11-55 - ATG-1- - CVA 18 - F9F-2- - - Western Pacific
  • 05-25-56 to 12-20-56 - ATG-1- - CVA 16 - F7U-3- - - Western Pacific
  • 10-04-58 to 02-16-59 - ATG-1- - CVA 14 - FJ-4B- - - Western Pacific
  • 08-15-59 to 03-25-60 - CVG-2- - CVA 41 - FJ-4B- - - Western Pacific
  • 02-16-61 to 09-28-61 - CVG-2- - CVA 41 - A4D-2- - - Western Pacific
  • 04-06-62 to 10-20-62 - CVG-2- - CVA 41 - A4D-2- - - Western Pacific
  • 11-08-63 to 05-26-64 - CVW-2- - CVA 41 - A-4E - - - Western Pacific
  • 03-06-65 to 11-23-65 - CVW-2- - CVA 41 - A-4E - - - Western Pacific/Vietnam
  • 07-29-66 to 02-23-67 - CVW-2- - CVA 43 - A-4E - - - Western Pacific/Vietnam
  • 12-28-67 to 08-17-68 - CVW-19 - CVA 14 - A-4F - - - Western Pacific/Vietnam
  • 04-14-69 to 11-17-69 - CVW-19 - CVA 34 - A-4F - - - Western Pacific/Vietnam

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Aircraft
Commanding Officers
    Date Assumed Command - - - - - - - Commanding Officer
  • December 1949 - - - - - - - LCDR Cook Cleland *
  • August 28, 1952 - - - - - - LCDR J. M. Rickabaugh
  • November 1953 - - - - - - - LCDR Benjamin Tappan, Jr.
  • June 1955 - - - - - - - - - CDR E. S. Parks
  • Late 1955 or Early 1956 -----LCDR Robert H. Moore, Jr.
  • January 1957- - - - - - - - LCDR Bernard Sevilla
  • May 30, 1958- - - - - - - - CDR E. W. Blackburn
  • March 6, 1959 - - - - - - - CDR L. M. Cauble
  • April 8, 1960 - - - - - - - CDR S. G. Gorsline, Jr.
  • September 28, 1961- - - - - LCDR Edward E. Riley (acting)
  • November 6, 1961- - - - - - CDR G. M. Veling
  • September 18, 1962- - - - - CDR Edward E. Riley
  • August 20, 1963 - - - - - - CDR Robert P. Smith
  • July 2, 1964- - - - - - - - CDR John R. Dewenter
  • July 2, 1965- - - - - - - - CDR Robert R. King, Jr.
  • July 1, 1966- - - - - - - - CDR Richard A. Mackell
  • June 23, 1967 - - - - - - - CDR Charles L. Bush
  • July 24, 1968 - - - - - - - CDR Morris A. Peelle
  • July 9, 1969- - - - - - - - CDR Theodore L. Lloyd, Jr.
  • * Cdr. L. Cook Cleland was also a two time winner of
    the Cleveland National Air Races (Thompson Trophy) of 1947 & 1949.

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Events
  • 1947:
    Commander L. Cook Cleland won his first Thompson Trophy at the Cleveland National Air Races. Commander Cleland won the Thompson Trophy again in 1949. His two Thompson Trophies rank him second only to Roscoe Turner the ace of the Cleveland National Air Races.

  • December 1949:
    Reserve Fighter Squadron SIX HUNDRED FIFTY-THREE (VF-653) established with Lieutenant Commander Cook Cleland commanding at Naval Air Station Akron, Ohio. VF-653 was assigned the FG-1D Goodyear Corsair I.

  • February 1, 1951:
    Reserve Squadron VF-653, the Dragons were called to active duty.

  • April 16, 1951:
    Fighter Squadron SIX HUNDRED FIFTY-THREE --- VF-653 was reassigned to Naval Air Station Alameda, California. By May, VF-653 had been assigned the Vought F4U-4 Corsair I.

  • October 12, 1951 through August 5, 1952:
    Fighter Squadron SIX HUNDRED FIFTY-THREE --- VF-653 flying the F4U-4 and F4U-4B Corsair with ATG-1 deployed to the Western Pacific and Korea on United States Ship Valley Forge CV 45. This was the Dragon's first combat cruise to Korea.

  • December 11, 1951:
    VF-653 conducted its first combat strikes in the Korean War.

  • August 28, 1952:
    VF-653 was assigned the Grumman F9F-2 Panther.

  • February 4, 1953:
    VF-653 was redesignated as VF-151 - Fighter Squadron ONE HUNDRED FIFTY-ONE, the Black Knights.

  • March 30, 1953 through November 28, 1953:
    Fighter Squadron ONE HUNDRED FIFTY-ONE --- VF-151 flying the Grumman F9F-2 Panther with ATG-1 deployed to the Western Pacific and Korea on United States Ship Boxer CVA 21. This was the Black Knights' Second combat cruise to Korea.

  • May 1, 1953:
    At Yokusuka (near Tokyo) - May Day was only base liberty because of Communist riots in the area.

  • May 13 through July 27, 1953:
    VF-151 with fourteen Grumman F9F-2 Panthers and 22 pilots engaged their first Korean War line period on Boxer. During this period the Black Knights participated in 120 strikes in which the squadron had 33 Panthers hit by flak, 19 of those Panthers were damaged beyond repair. During combat the squadron expended 122,535 20mm cannon rounds, 1,152 five inch rockets, and dropped 3,112 bombs weighing 624,080 pounds. During the period each pilot averaged 46 missions.
    VF-151 pilots:
    • Commanding Officer Lcdr. John Rickabaugh, Executive Officer Lcdr. Carl Roberts, Operations Officer Lcdr. Herky Harper, Lieutenant Bob Brown, LSO Lieutenant Les Burton, Lieutenant Chuck Chute, Lieutenant Bill Fornoff, Lieutenant Max Malen, Lieutenant Mike Martin, Lieutenant Cal Russell, Lieutenant Junior grade Digger Doyle, Lieutenant Junior grade Jack Ingram, Lieutenant Junior grade Pat Kittler, Lieutenant Junior grade Jim McCarty, Lieutenant Junior grade Sam McKee, Lieutenant Junior grade Rusty Merrill, Lieutenant Junior grade Burt Shepperd, Lieutenant Junior grade "Super Secret" Smith, Ordinance Officer Ensign Al Bedford, Ensign Ken Cameron, Ensign Tom Ledford, Ensign Lou O'Neil, Ensign Roger Pattridge, Ensign Roger Sheets.

  • July 25, 1953:
    VF-151 Black Knight Lieutenant Junior Grade Jack William Ingram, Jr., United States Navy, born January 10, 1928, 496331, flying a Grumman F9F-2 Panther was hit by antiaircraft fire (Triple A) north of Hungnam, North Korea. Lieutenant Ingram nursed his Panther to the Korean Sea before trying to ditch --- Lieutenant Ingram did not survive the resulting crash and was Killed In Action.

  • July 26, 1953:
    VF-151 Black Knight Ensign Thomas Franklin Ledford, United States Navy, in a Grumman F9F-2 Panther received a United States Ship Boxer CVA 21 "Cold Cat." The Boxer's catapult failed to accelerate Ledford's Panther to flying speed and the Panther fell from the Boxer's bow, into the sea, upside down. Boxer then passed over the sinking plane killing Ledford. Ensign Tom Ledford was probably the last United States Naval Aviator killed in the Korean War.

  • September 1, 1954 through April 11, 1955:
    Fighter Squadron ONE HUNDRED FIFTY-ONE --- VF-151, Black Knights flying the Grumman F9F-2 Panther with ATG-1 deployed to the Western Pacific on United States Ship Wasp CVA 18. This was the Black Knights' third cruise to the Western Pacific.

  • February 1955:
    VF-151 provided air support during the evacuation of Chinese Nationalists from the Tachen Islands following the their bombardment by Communist China.

  • May 1955:
    VF-151 was assigned the "Last Chance" Vought F7U-3M (Gutless) Cutlass.

  • February 7, 1956:
    VF-151 was redesignated as VA-151 - Attack Squadron ONE HUNDRED FIFTY-ONE, the Black Knights.

  • May 25, 1956 through December 20, 1956:
    Attack Squadron ONE HUNDRED FIFTY-ONE --- VA-151 flying the "Last Chance" Vought F7U-3M (Gutless) Cutlass with ATG-1 deployed to the Western Pacific on United States Ship Lexington CVA 16.

  • December 1956:
    Attack Squadron ONE HUNDRED FIFTY-ONE Black Knights were assigned the F9F-8B Grumman Cougar.

  • July 1957:
    VA-151 was assigned the North American FJ-4B Fury.

  • October 4, 1958 through February 2, 1959:
    Attack Squadron ONE HUNDRED FIFTY-ONE --- VA-151, Black Knights flying the North American FJ-4B Fury with ATG-1 deployed to the Western Pacific on United States Ship Ticonderoga CVA 14.

  • February 23, 1959:
    VA-151 was redesignated as VA-23, Black Knights - Attack Squadron TWENTY-THREE.

  • August 15, 1959 through March 25, 1960:
    Attack Squadron TWENTY-THREE --- VA-23, Black Knights flying the North American FJ-4B Fury with CVG-2 deployed to the Western Pacific on United States Ship Midway CVA 41.

  • May 18, 1960:
    Attack Squadron TWENTY-THREE was assigned the Douglas A4D-2 Skyhawk.

  • February 16, 1961 through September 28, 1961:
    Attack Squadron TWENTY-THREE --- VA-23, Black Knights flying the Douglas A-4B Skyhawk with CVG-2 deployed the Western Pacific on United States Ship Midway CVA 41.

  • September 30, 1961:
    Attack Squadron TWENTY-THREE VA-23 was reassigned to Naval Air Station Lemoore, California.

  • April 6, 1962 through October 20, 1962:
    Attack Squadron TWENTY-THREE --- VA-23, Black Knights flying the Douglas A-4B Skyhawk with CVG-2 deployed to the Western Pacific on United States Ship Midway CVA 41.

  • December 26, 1962:
    VA-23 was assigned the Douglas A-4E Skyhawk. The Black Knights were the first squadron in the world to be assigned the "E" Skyhawk.

  • November 8, 1963 through May 26, 1964:
    Attack Squadron TWENTY-THREE --- VA-23 Black Knights flying the Douglas A-4E Skyhawk with CVG-2 deployed to the Western Pacific on United States Ship Midway CVA 41.

  • March 6, 1965 through November 23, 1965:
    Attack Squadron TWENTY-THREE --- VA-23 Black Knights flying the Douglas A-4E Skyhawk with CVG-2 deployed to the Western Pacific and Vietnam on United States Ship Midway CVA 41. This was the Black Knight's first combat cruise to Vietnam and first combat since the Korean War.

  • April 25, 1965:
    Attack Squadron TWENTY-THREE was the first squadron to use the Shrike anti-radiation missile in combat.

  • June 2, 1965:
    Black Knight A-4E Skyhawk BuNo. 151144 side number NE 348 was shot down by North Vietnamese gun fire. The pilot, Lieutenant Junior Grade D. M. Christian, was Killed in Action.

  • June 2, 1965:
    Black Knight A-4E Skyhawk BuNo. 151161 side number NE 349 was shot down by North Vietnamese gun fire. The pilot, Lieutenant J. B. McKamey, ejected successfully, was captured by the North Vietnamese and made Prisoner of War.

  • July 28, 1965:
    Black Knight A-4E Skyhawk BuNo. 149962 side number NE 341 was shot down by his own Mark-82 bomb exploding. The pilot, Lieutenant Junior Grade G. R. Townsend, Jr. ejected successfully and was rescued.

  • August 11, 1965:
    Black Knight A-4E Skyhawk BuNo. 151185 side number NE 345 was shot down by a North Vietnamese Surface to Air Missile - SAM. The pilot, Lieutenant Junior Grade D. H. Brown, Jr., was Killed in Action.

  • August 29, 1966 through February 23, 1967:
    Attack Squadron TWENTY-THREE --- VA-23 Black Knights flying the Douglas A-4E Skyhawk with CVG-2 deployed to the Western Pacific and Vietnam on United States Ship Coral Sea CVA 43. This was the Black Knight's second combat cruise to Vietnam.

  • October 10, 1966:
    Black Knight A-4E Skyhawk BuNo. 151150 side number NE 340 was shot down by a North Vietnamese Surface to Air Missile - SAM. The pilot, Lieutenant Junior Grade M. S. Confer, was Killed in Action.

  • January 13, 1967:
    Black Knight A-4E Skyhawk BuNo. 151158 side number NE 345 was shot down by North Vietnamese antiaircraft fire - Triple A. The pilot, Lieutenant Junior Grade M. P. Cronin, ejected successfully, was captured by the North Vietnamese and made Prisoner of War.

  • January 15, 1967:
    Black Knight A-4E Skyhawk BuNo. 151168 side number NE 346 was shot down by North Vietnamese antiaircraft fire - Triple A. The pilot, Lieutenant Junior Grade D. H. Moran Jr., ejected successfully, but was Killed in Action.

  • December 28, 1967 through August 17, 1968:
    Attack Squadron TWENTY-THREE --- VA-23 Black Knights flying the Douglas A-4F Skyhawk with CVW-19 deployed to the Western Pacific and Vietnam on United States Ship Ticonderoga CVA 14. This was the Black Knight's third combat cruise to Vietnam. There were no combat losses this cruise.

  • March 15 to 20, 1968:
    After the January 23, 1968 capture of United States Ship Pueblo AGER 2 by North Korea, VA-23 operated from Ticonderoga in the Sea of Japan - commanding the seas for the United States of America.

  • April 1968:
    VA-23 flew combat strikes around Khe Sahn, South Vietnam, in support of the besieged Marine base.

  • July 23, 1968:
    VA-23 Black Knight Lieutenant Commander Lawrence D. Gosen, United States Navy in A-4F Skyhawk BuNo. 154189 was given a Ticonderoga cold catapult and lost over the side in a non-combat accident. Lieutenant Commander Gosen was killed.

  • April 14, 1969 through November 17, 1969:
    Attack Squadron TWENTY-THREE --- VA-23 Black Knights flying the Douglas A-4F Skyhawk with CVW-19 deployed to the Western Pacific and Vietnam on United States Ship Oriskany CVA 34. This was the Black Knight's fourth and last combat cruise to Vietnam.

  • July 20, 1969:
    Black Knight A-4E Skyhawk BuNo. 154993 side number NM 306 was shot down by Laos gun fire. The pilot, Lieutenant S. K. Smiley, was Killed in Action.

  • July 29, 1969:
    VA-23 Black Knight A-4F Skyhawk BuNo. 154184 was lost in a non-combat accident. The pilot was rescued.

  • April 1, 1970:
    Attack Squadron TWENTY-THREE was officially disestablished on April Fools Day, after more than 19 years of active service to the United States of America.
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Awards
  • Award - - - - - - - - - Inclusive Dates:
  • KOREAN SERVICE MEDAL:
    • 12-04-51 to 06-20-52
    • 04-03-53 to 08-09-53
    • 08-22-53 to 11-21-53.

  • NAVY UNIT COMMENDATION
    • 12-11-51 to 06-11-52
    • 04-16-65 to 11-04-65
    • 08-12-66 to 02-01-67
    • 01-26-68 to 07-23-68.

  • KOREAN PUC
    • 12-07-51 to 06-20-52
    • 04-30-53 to 07-27-53.

  • UNITED NATIONS SERVICE MEDAL
    • 12-04-51 to 06-20-52
    • 04-03-53 to 08-09-53
    • 08-22-53 to 11-21-53.

  • NATIONAL DEFENSE SERVICE MEDAL (KOREA)
    • December 1951 to June 1952.

  • ARMED FORCED EXPEDITIONARY MEDAL
    • 10-23-58 to 01-01-59
    • 03-28-61 to 04-07-61
    • 01-23-68 to 03-22-68
    • 09-17-69
    • 09-28-69 to 10-04-69.

  • MILITARY UNIT COMMENDATION
    • 05-05-69 to 11-03-69.

  • VIETNAM SERVICE MEDAL
    • 07-22-65 to 08-26-65
    • 09-11-65 to 10-09-65
    • 09-12-66 to 10-19-66
    • 10-30-66 to 12-04-66
    • 12-26-66 to 02-01-67
    • 01-25-68 to 03-04-68
    • 03-25-68 to 04-08-68
    • 04-16-68
    • 04-24-68 to 05-12-68
    • 05-20-68 to 06-14-68
    • 06-25-68 to 07-23-68
    • 05-05-69 to 06-04-69
    • 06-15-69 to 07-01-69
    • 07-12-69 to 07-30-69
    • 08-14-69 to 09-12-69
    • 10-08-69 to 10-31-69.
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    Sources:
    • Al Bedford
    • Robert J. Brozovich
    • Harry S. Gann
    • Tobey W. Morison
    • Jim Ritchie
    • Howard C. Wolf Jr.

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