VA-94 (U.S. Navy)
SB2C-5 Helldiver of VA-9A Tough Kitties is lifted to the flight deck of USS Philippine Sea (CV-47) in preparation for launch. Other squadron aircraft are visible aft, in 1948.
VA-94 was an Attack Squadron of the U.S. Navy. It was established as Bombing Squadron VB-99 on 1 July 1943, redesignated as VB-20 on 15 October 1943, and as VA-9A on 15 November 1946. It was finally redesignated as VA-94 on 12 August 1948. The squadron was disestablished on 30 November 1949. Its nickname was Bombing Twenty's Tough Kitty from 1943 to 1946.[1]
Significant events
- Jul–Oct 1943: VB-99 was established as an experimental squadron for the new SB2C aircraft until its redesignation as VB-20 and assignment to CVG-20.
- 31 Aug 1944: The squadron’s first combat action involved an attack on the Bonin Islands.
- Sep 1944: The squadron participated in pre-invasion strikes on Palau Islands and provided air support for landings on Peleliu Island.
- Oct 1944: Squadron aircraft participated in air strikes against Okinawa, Formosa and Luzon.
- 24 Oct 1944: The squadron participated in the Battle for Leyte Gulf. VB-20’s SB2Cs flew sorties against a powerful Japanese surface force in the Sibuyan Sea. These attacks contributed to the sinking of the Musashi, one of the two largest battleships in the world. The following squadron personnel were awarded the Navy Cross for this action: Ensigns M. E. Adams, R. J. Barnes, H. A. Koster, R. D. Olson, M. T. Ross, and D. D. J. Spanagel; Lieutenant (jg)s P. P. Cook, J. M. Glynn, R. D. Reed, J. P. Trytten, and J. E. Tsarnas; Lieutenants W. N. Christensen, J. S. Cooper, H. C. Hogan, R. E. Moore, R. D. Warner and R. S. Wilcox; and Commander R. E. Riera.
- 25 Oct 1944: Squadron aircraft were part of the Fast Carrier Task Force that attacked the Japanese carrier force in the Battle of Cape Engano. Four Japanese carriers were sunk during this engagement. The following squadron personnel were awarded the Navy Cross for their actions during the Battle of Cape Engano: Ensigns H. C. Bearden, D. F. Hughes, C. Z. Stevens III, and W. P. Wright; Lieutenant (jg) W. C. Phtilla; Lieutenants W. W. Anderson, C. Burkhart and L. C. Flynt; and Commander R. E. Riera.
- Nov 1944: Squadron aircraft flew strikes against a Japanese troop convoy in Ormoc Bay, Leyte and enemy positions on Luzon.
- Dec 1944: The squadron participated in strikes flown against Luzon.
- Jan 1945: Squadron aircraft flew strikes against Luzon, Formosa, Hong Kong, and Japanese convoys in South China Sea and Okinawa.
- 12 Jan 1945: The following squadron personnel were awarded the Silver Star medal for action against a Japanese cruiser protecting a convoy of cargo ships: Lieutenants W. N. Christensen and W. W. Anderson and Lieutenant (jg) H. Rubner.[1]
Home port assignments
The squadron was assigned to these home ports, effective on the dates shown:[1]
- NAS San Diego – 01 Jul 1943
- NAS Kaneohe – 21 Apr 1944*
- NAS Barbers Point – 30 Apr 1944*
- NAS Puunene – 17 Jun 1944*
- NAS San Diego – 23 Feb 1945
- NAS Wildwood – 16 Apr 1945
- NAAS Edenton – 22 Jun 1945
- NAAS Elizabeth City – 01 Nov 1945
- NAAS Charlestown – 01 Mar 1946
* Temporary shore assignment while the squadron conducted training in preparation for combat deployment.
Aircraft Assignment
The squadron first received the following aircraft on the dates shown:[1]
- SBD-5 Dauntless – Jul 1943
- SB2C-1C Helldiver – 15 Nov 1943
- SB2C-3 Helldiver – Jul 1944
- SB2C-4E Helldiver – 18 Apr 1945
- SBW-5 Helldiver – 04 Aug 1945
- SB2C-5 Helldiver – Mar 1946
- AD-2 Skyraider – 04 Oct 1948
See also
- Attack aircraft
- List of inactive United States Navy aircraft squadrons
- History of the United States Navy
References
This article incorporates text from the public domain Dictionary of American Naval Aviation Squadrons.
- 1 2 3 4 Grossnick, Roy A. (1995). Dictionary of American Naval Aviation Squadrons, Volume 1, Chapter 2, Section 6: Attack Squadron Histories for VA-76 to VA-104 (PDF). Washington, D.C.: Naval Historical Center, Department of the Navy. pp. 155–156. Retrieved 2014-02-17.
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