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VMA-121

This web page is posthumously dedicated to
fallen members of VMA-121
Please read about them below.

VMF-121 - 194?
Provided by John Gabbard
VMF-121 - 1951
Provided by John Gabbard
VMF-121 - 1951
Provided by John Gabbard

195?
Provided by Lee-Jackson Militaria
1958-1959
Courtesy of William "Gunny" Ravgiala

Drawn by Bud Southworth
Courtesy of John Resnowski

Provided by John Gabbard
Source unknown
Drawn by Bud Southworth

Patch
  • The nuc theme was part of the original competition for the Squadron patch but never made the cut. 121 was the first Squadron, 58-59 to qual with the nuc delivery system and that was an interesting tour prior to the move to conventional weapons.
  • John Resnowski patch, Green Knights - 1960s


Handle
  • Green Knights - 1960s


Heritage
  • 24 JUN 1941 - VMF-121 Established
  • 1969- - - - - Redesignated VMA(AW)-121
  • 08 DEC 1989 - Redesignated VMFA(AW)-121


Home Ports
  • After WWII: - - - NAS Glenview, IL.
  • 1951: - - - - - - MCAS El Tore, CA.
  • 1957: - - - - - - MCAS El Toro, CA.
  • 1969: - - - - - - MCAS Cherry Point, NC.
  • AUG 1994: - - - - MCAS Miramar, CA.


Air Wings
  • 1941 - - - - - - - - - - - - 4x: - - Western Pacific
  • 01 DEC 1966 to 03 JUN 1967 - - - - - Assigned to MAG-12, Chu Lai, Vietnam
  • 04 JUN 1967 to 04 SEP 1967 - - - - - Redeployed to Iwakuni Japan
  • 05 SEP 1967 to 31 JAN 1969 - - - - - Assigned to MAG-12, Chu Lai, Vietnam


Deployments
  • 1941-4x - - - - - - - Western Pacific WWII
  • 1951 to 1957: - - - - Pyongtaek, ROK
  • 1958: - - - - - - - - NAS Cecil Field
  • 1959 to 1960: - - - - WestPac
  • 1960 to 1961: - - - - WestPac
  • DEC 1966 to JUN 1967 - Chu Lai, Vietnam
  • JUN 1967 to SEP 1967 - MCAS Iwakuni, Japan
  • SEP 1967 to JAN 1969 - Chu Lai, Vietnam
  • 199x: - - - - - - - - Desert Storm


Aircraft
Commanding Officers
  • 24 JUN 1941: - - Major S.S. JACK
  • 01 MAR 1942: - - Captain L.K. DAVIS
  • 17 DEC 1942: - - 1st Lt. W.F. WILSON
  • 13 MAR 1943: - - Major D.K. YOST
  • 27 MAR 1943: - - Major J.N. RENNER
  • 15 MAY 1943: - - Captain R.E. BRUCE
  • 24 AUG 1943: - - 1st Lt. H.O. DEFRIES
  • 25 OCT 1943: - - Captain O.B. NELSON
  • 02 DEC 1943: - - Major W.J. MEYER
  • 26 MAY 1945: - - Major C.B. WELSH
  • 13 JUN 1945: - - Major R. TUCKER
  • 01 AUG 1945: - - 1st Lt. R.M. LOUGHERY
  • 01 JUL 1946: - - Major R.S. INGRAM
  • 20 JAN 1948: - - Major R.L. BRYSON
  • 20 APR 1951: - - Lt.Col. A.N. GORDON
  • 19 NOV 1951: - - Major F.P. BARKER
  • 01 DEC 1951: - - Lt. Col. P.B. MAY
  • 15 MAR 1952: - - Lt. Col. W.A. HOUSTON
  • 20 JUN 1952: - - Lt. Col. P.L. CRAWFORD
  • 11 SEP 1952: - - Lt. Col. W.M. CARGILL
  • 07 DEC 1952: - - Lt. Col. R.M. GURZENGA
  • 01 MAR 1953: - - Lt. Col. J.E. HUGHES
  • 21 APR 1953: - - Major R.L. BRAUN
  • 16 JUN 1953: - - Lt. Col. H.B. PENNE
  • 01 JAN 1954: - - Lt. Col. M.E. FLATER
  • 31 MAR 1954: - - Lt. Col. V.H. HUDGINS
  • 04 JUL 1954: - - Major E.K. GRISWOLD
  • 23 JUL 1954: - - Lt. Col. L.E. BONISKE
  • 13 JUN 1955: - - Lt. Col. W.H. RANKIN
  • 01 MAY 1956: - - Lt. Col. E.J. DOYLE
  • 01 SEP 1956: - - Major P.C. DELONG
  • 23 SEP 1956: - - Lt. Col. E.J. DOYLE
  • 02 OCT 1956: - - Major P.C. DELONG
  • 12 OCT 1956: - - Major L.F. CHILDERS
  • 02 DEC 1956: - - Major R.C. DELONG
  • 22 APR 1957: - - Lt. Col. E.W KELLY
  • 11 JUL 1957: - - Major W.D. WILCOX
  • 16 NOV 1957: - - Lt. Col. W.G. JOHNSON
  • 23 SEP 1958: - - Major J.E. DAVIS
  • 10 OCT 1958: - - Lt. Col. T.J. SAXON JR
  • 28 MAY 1960: - - Lt. Col. W.L. TRAYNOR
  • 05 APR 1961: - - Lt. Col. R.E. NELSON
  • 10 APR 1961: - - Lt. Col. R.F. SHIELDS
  • 17 APR 1962: - - Lt. Col. L.M. MCKLESON
  • 19 APR 1963: - - Lt. Col. W.E. SPARLING
  • 00 MAR 1965: - - Lt. Col. H.G. ROBINSON
  • 13 MAY 1966: - - Lt. Col. D.R. STIVER
  • 17 MAR 1967: - - Major F.G. DAWSON (acting)
  • 31 MAR 1967: - - Lt. Col. J.H. MCGEE
  • 25 SEP 1967: - - Lt. Col. R.J. KERN
  • 11 MAR 1968: - - Lt. Col. W.D. SHIPPEN
  • 16 OCT 1968: - - Lt. Col. D.A. LERPS
  • 14 FEB 1969: - - Lt. Col. E.E. JACOBSON JR.
  • 03 JUN 1970: - - Lt. Col. T.P BAKER
  • 11 JUN 1971: - - Lt. Col. E.A. BIRZER
  • 14 JUN 1972: - - Lt. Col. M.T. FOUNTAIN JR.
  • 13 JUN 1973: - - Major G.A. DAVIS
  • 25 JUL 1974: - - Lt. Col. B.G. RUTLEDGE
  • 05 AUG 1975: - - Lt. Col. E.P. CARROLL
  • 18 NOV 1976: - - Lt. Col. J.P. FAULKNER
  • 12 JUN 1978: - - Major W.T. ADAMS
  • 31 AUG 1979: - - Lt. Col. N.E. EBLERT
  • 25 NOV 1980: - - Lt. Col. J.M. WAGNER
  • 15 APR 1982: - - Lt. Col. J.W. RIPPY
  • 21 JUN 1983: - - Lt. Col. S.M. DAY
  • 26 OCT 1984: - - Lt. Col. W.R. MCPHERSON
  • 29 JUL 1986: - - Lt. Col. N.J. WESTON
  • 01 APR 1988: - - Lt. Col. P.G. JACOBS
  • 08 DEC 1989: - - Lt. Col. G.E. ADCOCK
  • 24 SEP 1990: - - Lt. Col. S.F. MUGG
  • 24 JAN 1992: - - Lt. Col. M.R. HUMBERD
  • 01 JUL 1993: - - Lt. Col. D.J. BORJE
  • 16 NOV 1994: - - Lt. Col. P.R. MORIARTY
  • 29 MAR 1996: - - Lt. Col. W.C. MACAK
  • 19 SEP 1997: - - Lt. Col. R.A. SIEGEL
  • 19 MAY 1999: - - Lt. Col. M.L. SAWYERS
  • 20 APR 2001: - - Lt. Col. D.C. MYERS
  • 11 OCT 2002: - - Lt. Col. M. SHIHADEH
  • 25 JUN 2004: - - Lt. Col. F.A. RICHIE
  • 27 JAN 2006: - - Lt. Col. J.A. CRAF
  • 07 DEC 2007: - - Lt. Col. M.T. PALMER


Events
  • WWII
    Green Knights participated in combat operations as charter members of the "Cactus Air Force" in the Battle of Guadalcanal. The squadron flew from bases at Espirito Santo Island, Turtle Bay, Bougainville, and Emirau. The Squadron produced 14 Fighter Aces including Major Joseph J. Foss (Medal of Honor).

  • After WWII:
    Upon moving to NAS Glenview, IL, the unit was changed to VMA-121.

  • 1958:
    First Marine squadron to be fully qualified in special weapons delivery.

  • First Marine squadron to win both the CNO Safety Award and the Commandant's Efficiency Trophy.

  • 1959 (Possibly 30 April - A4D-2 BuNo 142856 & 142927)
    • I joined VMA 121 about Nov. of 1958 at El Toro . We were there for about (1) year and rotated to Iwakuni. We rotated back to the US from the Coral Sea about April of 61.

      We also lost two pilots in the US prior to going to Japan , Capt. Kiley and Lt. Fisher. It is my understanding they were making a “GCA” approach into El Toro at night in a dense fog. I was on duty that night. As I recall, Capt. Kiley was flying lead and Lt. Fisher was flying off his left wing when they went in. I was one of two who had guard duty at the crash site after pilot recovery.

      I was one of three parachute riggers with the squadron. Gunny Giffin, Cpl. Martin and myself Cpl Branner.
      Comments From: Ken Branner

    • My name is James A. Coker PFC in VMA-121 from October 1958 'til we returned from the far east in early 1961. I was then assigned to MCAS Buford, SC in VMA-131 before I was discharged in November 1961.
      In regards to the crash that killed Cpt. Kiley and Lt. Fisher, who was called Charlie Brown. I was the plane captain on VK-16, one of the planes that crashed, and was on duty with the 4th duty section that night. I was awakened early in the morning to go walk guard duty around the wreckage. This was very hard as there was still a lot of human remains out there.
      As I remember the crash sight, it looked as if they were coming in too low and you could see where the lead plane flew right into the ground as you could see where all three landing gear hit.
      Then you could see where the wingman tried to pull up to the left and his left wing tip hit and he did a cart wheel and when his nose hit, it stuck his his refueling probe into the ground like a nail, then the plane blew up.
      I had the honor to go to New Mexico to attend LT. Fisher's funeral.
      Comments from: James A. Coker

      Yes, we had two crashes actually. Lt Fisher landed too fast and ran off the end of the runway and dumped it in a ditch. The second, and the one you want was Fisher again and Capt. Kiley (not sure of the spelling). Kiley was working with Fisher trying to get him over the 1st crash so took him on a cross-country up to Ogden, Utah and back. When they got back to El Toro it was dark, the wx had set in and it was about 100 ft ceiling with tops above 10,000. Kiley's mistake was that instead of taking the lead and making the approach, he let Fisher lead while he flew wing. As they neared the ground Fisher did not keep his wings level and he started to drift off of glide slope. Kiley of course was just flying wing and not really checking his instruments. By the time he did it was too late and they hit the ground in a right wing low blow and blew up... They landed on the golf course there at El Toro. er
      R.D. Rudy

  • 30 April 1959:
    Capt. Edward J. Kiely & 2nd Lt. Richard F. Fisher perished attempting an instrument landing (A4D-2 BuNo 142856 & 142927)
    Pacific Stars & Stripes

  • Deployed WestPac 1959 - 1960:

  • 1960/1961:
    Embarked on Ticonderoga, Ranger, and Coral Sea.

  • October 20, 1960 & January 11, 1961
    We lost two on the Coral Sea. Pete Maitland got a cold cat into the water during the carrier quals of VMA 324. He was on a maint hop with 9400 # of fuel, The ship was launching 324 with no more than 7300#. They launched him at the lower weight and put him in the drink.
    The second was Lou Elder in VK-7. He and Sam Newlon were coming back from Iwakuni at night. They were about 9 miles from the Coral Sea when Lou called that 'it is running rough, I've got to leave it' Sam dropped back to help but never saw Lou's plane again.
    Saw your picture in the clips about the Dallas reunion. All I can say is that I would not have known you with out a name tag. Hope we can both make one some day.
    R.D. Rudy

  • 1960:
    Two VMA-121 pilots were lost off the USS Coral Sea during training. Capt. Maitland was lost to a bad cat shot and Lt. Elder who never returned to the ship same time period. I received the information via snail mail in the form of emails thru the director of the Marine Corps University and others. I was a plane captain and on deck when Capt. Maitland was lost.
    Gunny Rav USMC (Ret.)

  • October 17, 1960:
    Capt. Pete Maitland was lost due to a bad cat shot in A4D-2 BuNo 145044. The best info I have is that he was loaded with 9400lb of fuel and got a stroke set at 7300lb-
    Bill Egen
    Fitchburg, MA Sentinel, Thursday, October 20, 1960

  • October 20, 1960:
    FITCHBURG (MASS.) SENTINEL, THURSDAY, OCTOBER 20, 1960
    PETER MAITLAND
    ASHBURNHAM, Oct. 20 - Word has been received here of the death of Peter Maitland, a marine jet pilot in a plane crash in Japan He was husband of the former Gail Murphy, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Nicholas J. Murphy, Jr., Tallahassee, Fla., and summer residents of Ashburnham. Besides his wife and two children he is survived by his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Peter Maitland, Lancaster. A memorial service will be held at St. John's Church, Clinton, tomorrow morning at 10.
    This matches to the loss of A4D-2 BuNo 145044 on 17 October 1960.

  • January 11, 1961:
    While on a flight off USS Coral Sea, 1st Lt. Luis E. Elder reported mechanical trouble, ejected from A4D-2 BuNo 142924 180 miles south of Tokyo, Japan and was never found
    US Armed Forces, Pacific Stars & Stripes, Thursday, January 12, 1961
    US Armed Forces, Pacific Stars & Stripes, Friday, January 13, 1961
    US Armed Forces, Pacific Stars & Stripes, Sunday, January 15, 1961

  • November 1, 1962:
    Maj. William W. Bryant ejected from A4D-2N BuNo 148561 near Yuma, AZ
    Redlands, CA, Redlands Daily Facts, Friday, November 2, 1962
    Yuma, AZ, The Sun, Thursday, November 29, 1962

  • Novebmer 27, 1962
    Capt John MacDonald Moore, TAD to Cecil Field during the Cuban Missile Crisis, perished in a night crash of A4D-2N BuNo 147713 near Palatka, FL.
    Capt Moore is buried in Ft. Rosecrans National Cemetery, San Diego, CA.
    Aviator's name from D. Johnson
    Long Beach, CA, Independent, Wednesday, November 28, 1962

  • December 7, 1963:
    Maj. Thomas S Oden perished in A4D-2N BuNo 147813 35 miles south-southwest of Gila Bend, AZ
    Yuma, AZ, The Sun article

  • 1964-65:
    VMA-121 in Japan, VK-23 in-flight.
    Lynne Morrell

  • April 27, 1966:
    Capt. W. A. Wilson ejected successfully when his A-4E Skyhawk BuNo 151094, deployed to MCAS Yuma from El Toro, CA, crashed and burned in the desert 21 miles NE of El Centro, CA.
    Yuma, AZ, The Sun, Thursday, April 28, 1966.

  • Nov. 1966 - Jan. 1969:
    Nov. 1966 - Jan. 1969 history
    Bill "Jigger" Egen

  • July of 1966
    Replaced VMA-211 at Chu Lai, Vietnam per Sgt. Tom Pulliam.
    After six months of combat operations, the Squadron rotated back to Iwakuni, Japan and Naha Air Base, Okinawa before returning to Chu-Lai for another combat tour in 1968.

  • Chu Lai, Vietnam Statistics
    • Sorties flown = 18,690
    • Hours flown = 21,862.5
    • Ordanance delivered = 24,277 tons
    • * data does not include 1-15 OCT 68

  • VMA-121 1963-65 CruiseBook provided by Dr. Lynn "Mo" Morrell via bill Egan

  • '66/'67 Cruise Book
    From Jay Halstead via Bill "Jigger" Egen

  • '67/'68 Cruise Book
    From Mike Aiton via Bill "Jigger" Egen

  • MAG 12:
    • 25 NOV 1966:
      Lost in combat was Capt C.N. Williams in A-4E BuNo 151123, while flying with VMA-223 as part of VMA-121 advanced party.

    • 06 JAN 1967:
      Capt. Adams, flying A-4E BuNO 150036 was shot down. Capt. Adams was recovered.

    • 14 JAN 1967:
      Capt. Frye, flying A-4E BuNO 150106 was shot down. Capt. Frye was recovered.

    • 27 FEB 1967:
      Lost in combat was Capt H.J. Alwan, while flying A-4E BuNo 152051.

    • 11 MAY 1967:
      Capt. G.R. Romano flying A-4E 150011 was Wounded In Action and recovered.

    • 30 MAY 1967:
      Lost in combat was 1stLt. Michael Walter Thoennes, while flying A-4E BuNo 150032.

    • 28 AUG 1967:
      Lost in combat was Maj. C.F. Wallace, in A-4E BuNo 150038 flying with VMA-211 as part of VMA-121 advanced party.

    • 05 MAY 1968:
      1st Lt. Aiton flying A-4E BuNo 151105 was shot down. Aiton was recovered.

    • 09 MAY 1968:
      Maj. Tyrell flying A-4E BuNo 152092 was shot down. Maj. Tyrell was recovered.

    • 09 JUN 1968:
      Lost in combat was 1stLt. Walter Schmidt, flying A-4E BuNo 151080.

    • 22 JUN 1968:
      Maj. Ingraham was Wounded In Action, was able to land at Da nang.

    • 27 JUL 1968:
      Lost in combat was Maj. Don Campbell, flying A-4E BuNo 151143.

    • 26 SEP 1968:
      Lost in combat was Capt. Dale Luster, flying A-4E BuNo 150094 (2nd tour, 372 missions).

    • 01 OCT 1968:
      1st Lt. Bob Coop flying A-4E BuNo 151159 was involved in an aborted takeoff at Chu Lai. Aircraft was lost, but Coop escaped the burning a/c.
      San Mateo, CA The Times article


Awards
  • CNO Safety Award
  • Commandant's Efficiency Trophy


Photographs


Squadron Photo at NAS Fallon, Nevada.
Deployed for ordinance delivery practice here or MCAS Yuma about quarterly.
1961-62 time period, photo from Ron Hamric.

Squadron Photo at MCAS Yuma, Arizona.
1961-62 time period, photo from Ron Hamric.

Squadron logo sign made by Ron Hamric.
Provided by Ron Hamric.

BuNo.148497 somewhere over Southern California in 1961
Photo by Maintenance Officer Capt. Peterson during a 2 ship flight.
Provided by Ron Hamric.

MCAS El Toro on 6-26-61, flight of four VMA-121 A4D-2N (A-4C).
BuNo.148474 is closest, 148475 top of 74, 1484x2 is leading and 14843x is trailing.
Provided by Ron Hamric.

Circa 1964:
BuNo 147752 VK-12 on the ramp with VK-11.
William D. Ravgiala, Jr.

VK-23 BuNo.145088 Somewhere in Japan..
Was going through some old slides from '121 in 1964-5 in Iwakuni. I gave my Minolta to one of our pilots and asked if he would take some pics for me. Many of these pics were in the yearbook --- this one is my favorite.
MO - Paraloft
Provided by Dr. Lynn Morrell

VMA-121 Flight Line at MCAS EL Toro.
BuNo.147819 and other A4D-2N Scooters.
Provided by Ron Hamric.

A-4E Skyhawk BuNo. 152099 - 1968
A-4E BuNo. 152099, side number VK 18, of VMA-121 landing at Naval Air Station Atsugi, Japan on September 23, 1968. United States Ship America departed Yokosuka for the Tonkin Gulf combat station. This Skyhawk landed after America's planes took off from Atsugi to return to the America.
Photograph by Masaaki Hayakawa.

VMA-121 at Cubi Point.
Bill Ravgiala in Subic Bay - back row second from top left.
Provided by W.D. (Bill) Ravgiala, Jr. GYSgt. USMC (Ret.)

Bill Ravgiala in the late 80s as UH-1E Gunner.
Bill Ravgiala served with VMA-121 1958-62 with service aboard the Ticonderoga, Ranger and Coral Sea. VMA-121 participated in the US Navy Marine Team Flying Brothers 1960.
Provided by W.D. (Bill) Ravgiala, Jr. GYSgt. USMC (Ret.)

Squadron Off-Duty


1959: Plane Captain Ravgiala



Sources
  • Bill "Jigger" Egen
  • Masaaki Hayakawa
  • W. L. "Moose" Tranor, Colonel, USMC (Ret.)
  • John Resnowski
  • Gunny Rav USMC (Ret.) [William D. Ravgiala, Jr.]
  • Ken Branner
  • James A. Coker
  • Jay Halstead
  • Mike Aiton
  • R.D. Rudy
  • John Gabbard

Those fallen
  • Capt C.N. Williams - - - - - - - 25 NOV 1966
    (Member of VMA-121 advanced party flying with VMA-223)

    •
  • Capt H.J. Alwan - - - - - - - - -27 FEB 1967 - A-4E 152051

    •
  • 1stLt. Michael Walter Thoennes - 30 MAY 1967 - A-4E 150032

    •
  • Maj. C.F. Wallace - - - - - - - -28 AUG 1967 - A-4E 150038
    (Member of VMA-121 advanced party flying with VMA-211)

    •
  • 1stLt. Walter Schmidt - - - - - -09 JUN 1968 - A-4E 151080

    •
  • Maj. Don Campbell - - - - - - - -27 JUL 1968 - A-4E 151143

    •
  • Capt. Dale L. uster - - - - - - - -26 SEP 1968 - A-4E 150094 _2nd tour, 372 missions)

  • 1stLt James R. Reese- - - - - - -02 DEC 1968 - Assigned VMO-6 flting O-1 Bird Dog


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