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VFP-62 Memorabilia


VFP-62 Hangar - Circa 1962-63
Photo by John Sees



Memorabilia from VFP-62 squadron members, dusting off memories from decades ago, when we were all that much younger. As Greg Engler says, "At this point in life we have much more to look back at than we have to look forward to, in both time and in events as well."

Updated May 3, 2023


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    Updated 3/9/18


    Quick Page Navigation Selections (UNDER CONSTRUCTION):


  • Click to go to: Memories of Life at VFP-62---NAS Cecil Field---Photos,VFP-62 Time Capsule; VFP-62 song book, VFP-62 poem, Navy Photo School, "Afterburner" issues, cruise book link & more

  • VFP-62 was a large squadron that supplied detachments (Dets) to the fleet carriers. These detachments usually had 30-40 crew members with 2-3 photo-aircraft. The senior officer was the Officer in Charge (OinC), three-to-four pilots, one photo intelligence officer and senior petty officers would be the leaders of the 35-40 enlisted maintenance and support crew.

    When the carrier returned from deployment, the detachment would return to base at Cecil Field. There was high competition among the various detachments "to be the best". You can see that in the writings of the varous newsletters, which were written by the officers and crew. Very good writing if I might add.

    • Click to go to: The Early Detachments VC-62 (VFP-62's predecesssor squadron) Detachments 1950-52

    • Click to go to: The 1956-59 Detachments VC-62/VFP-62 Dets: 31-56 Coral Sea; Homebase Newsletter 1957; 42-58 Forrestal; 43-58 Saratoga; 45-58 Essex; 37-59 Franklin D. Roosevelt and arrival of the first F8U-1P (later RF-8A) photo-Crusaders

    • Click to go to: The 1960 -67 Newsletters and Detachments VFP-62 Cecil Field, Forrestal, Shangri La, Franklin D. Roosevelt, Enterprise, Saratoga, 1967 Squadron Roster---Newsletters

    Memories of Navy & Shipmates

    I now know why men who have been to war yearn to reunite. Not to tell stories or look at old pictures. Not to laugh or weep. Comrades gather because they long to be with the men who once acted their best, men who suffered and sacrificed, who were stripped raw, right down to their humanity.

    I did not pick these men. They were delivered by fate. But I know them in a way I know no other men. I have never given anyone such trust. They were willing to guard something more precious than my life. They would have carried my reputation, the memory of me. It was part of the bargain we all made, the reason we were so willing to die for one another.

    I cannot say where we are headed. Ours are not perfect friendships; those are the province of legend and myth. A few of my comrade's drift far from me now, sending back only occasional word. I know that one day even these could fall to silence. Some of the men will stay close, a couple, perhaps, always at hand.

    As long as I have memory, I will think of them all, every day. I am sure that when I leave this world, my last thought will be of my family and my comrades ... such good men.

    Taken from Michael Norman, "These Good Men"


  • Good Memories of the Navy:_ "I Like The Navy" -Contributed by Bill Newby.


  • (1/27/13): 5 min. YouTube video I am the American Sailor with Ernest Borgnine (former chief petty officer) and the United States Navy Band. R.I.P. Chief Borgnine. You were a good man. Contributed by Ernie Halley.


    • Click to go to Top of "VFP-62 Memorabilia" Page


It sure brings back a lot of good memories when I browse the site... memories of a time when things seemed to be a lot simpler.---Jerry Smith


    Memories of Life at VFP-62

    One of the best things we had at Cecil, I thought, was that the EM club was right across the street from the back door to the barracks which made the crawl back to the barracks that much easier and that much less confusing after an evening of 10 cents a can beer. -- Greg Engler


    (10/19/15) Contributed by Cora McDonnell, wife of the late Lt. Jerry McDonnell



    (1/7/14): VFP-62 flightline early 1960s
    Photo panorama by Vinnie Zabicki
    Click photo to enlarge


  • CLICK TO SEE PHOTOS OF:

    • On 8 August 1962 -Miss Florida (Gloria Brodie) pic.#1 -Paid a visit to the "FLYING UBANGIS" - VA-12 at NAS CECIL FIELD. They flew A-4 Skyhawks.Miss Florida (Gloria Brodie) pic.#2 - --Contributed by Frank Buesing

    • Here's a photo of a:-VFP-62 F8U-1P BuNo 144613--taken by me at the NAS JAX airshow in 1958--J.J. McKenna

    • Photo taken in mid-1960 as our VFP-62 Det.33 was arriving at NAS Norva from NAS Cecil Field, FL.: Unloading Det gear at Norfolk-We were taking our three F8U-1P Crusaders aboard USS Intrepid CVA-11 for carquals, first Crusader unit to operate aboard the Mighty I. Never could figure out why, when we traveled by military cargo, that we had to have our dress uniforms on and then be expected to load/offload our gear - at the aircraft and then at the ship! -J.J. McKenna

    • Det 33-60-Gitmo crew "At Work!!" RF8 927 BuNo 146872)--J.J. McKenna


  • CLICK TO SEE: NAS CECIL FIELD---Photos, VFP-62 Time Capsule and More

  • CLICK TO SEE: VFP-62 MEMORABILIA--- Songs, Poem, Detachment Memories

    • USS Intrepid: Prices Pups - 1957-61 Roster Contributed by: J.J. McKenna

    • Poem to VFP-62 ---CAN BE ENLARGED IN BROWSER WINDOW-- submitted: Capt. Bob Kiem son of VFP-62 CO (1958)Capt Ed Kiem

    • VFP-62 DET 33 Coffee Mug -OINC LCDR Frank "FANG" Liberato. ( Note the fangs on Snoopy ). Submitted by: Jim "SKI" Trenoskie AME2 1960-1963

    • Organized choirs and routy singing were wide-spread activities in the squadrons of the 60's. Check out:_VFP-62 Song Book --Submitted by Jay Kirkland son of LT James T. Kirkland Jr. (VFP-62 pilot 1958 - 1960)

    • (3/25/14)[Webmaster's note: This link has been updated to give all of the cruise books.] EXTERNAL LINK Click to see: Navy Cruise Books --Many cruise books organized by ship and cruise. Contributed by Gerald Musgrove

    • (12/1/14)
      USS Forrestal
      Thanksgiving Day 1962

      "Bless us O Lord, and these Thy gifts, which we are about to receive from Thy bounty, through Christ our Lord. Amen." (Roman Catholic)

      "Bless O Lord, this food to our use to Thy service, and make us ever mindful of the needs of others. In Jesus' name. Amen." (Protestant)

      "Blessed art Thou, O Lord our God, King of the Universe, who bringeth forth bread from the earth, Amen. " (Jewish)

      Thanksgiving Day Menu

      Chilled Tomato Cocktail Saltines Split Pea Soup
      Roast Young Turkey Corn Bread Dressing Baked Kentucky Ham
      Whipped Irish Potatoes Giblet Gravy Candied Sweet Potatoes
      Buttered Green Peas Tossed Green Salad Waldorf Salad Buttered Corn
      Blue Cheese Dressing Hot Parker House Rolls Nut Dressing
      Chilled Cranberry Sauce Sesame Seed Rolls Sliced Pickles
      Stuffed Olives Butter Patties Ripe Olives
      Pumpkin Pie Whipped Cream Mince Meat Pie
      Coffee Chilled Fresh Fruit Bar Milk
      Hard Soft Center Candies Salted Nuts
      Cigarettes Cigars

      [Webmaster: This walk down memory lane provided by Ken Killmeyer, Forrestal Assn. historian. This was my last VFP-62 detachment (1962-63) and will be posted to our detachment newsletters on "VFP-62 Memorabilia." I always enjoyed Navy food.]

    I was a kid at the time and wish I had been wise enough to appreciate all the experience more. I am grateful to those who led us and kept us safe.--Robert (Bob) Lane (circa 1969 FDR ships company ABF-3)


    • CLICK TO SEE: Information on Navy Photo School

      (5/2/12)FOR VFP-62 PHOTOMATES:Navy Photo School Given A New Life --Many photomates from VFP-62 have started their careers here. Check it out. Contributed by Bill Newby PHCM




    Click to go to Top of "VFP-62 Memorabilia" Page



VC/VFP-62 Detachments

Webmaster's Note: VFP-62 was a large squadron that supplied detachments (Dets) to the fleet carriers. These detachments usually had 30-40 crew members with 2-3 planes. The senior officer was the Officer in Charge (OinC), three-to-four pilots, one photo intelligence officer and senior petty officers would be the leaders of the 35-40 enlisted maintenance and support crew.

When the carrier returned from deployment, the detachment would return to base at Cecil Field. There was high competition among the various detachments "to be the best". You can see that in the writings of the varous newsletters, which were written by the officers and crew. Very good writing if I might add.

    The Early Detachments



    (9/14/13) VC-62 Korean War Detachment

    USS Leyte (CV 32)

    September 6, 1950 - February 25, 1951

    Photo contributed by Roy Abraham




    VC-62 (Med. cruise) Det 32 USS Tarawa - USS Midway 1952
    Back Row: Wolf; Abraham; Hamilton; Sims; Littrell; Curtiss; King; Healey
    2nd row: Massett; Hill; Barton; Cook; Fanretti
    Front row: Grentzer; Goodwin; Eason
    Photo via: Rick Grentzer (son)

    Click to see more information: VC-62 Detachments 1950-52 or "Squadron History" page

    Click to go to Top of "VFP-62 Memorabilia" Page




Years ago, I took it for granted but as we age, those VFP-62 days take on new significance.
--Pete Hanner (VFP-62 AE2/ LCOL USMC)


    November 1957 VFP-62 Newsletter
    The arrival of the supersonic F8U-1P (RF-8) Crusader

    submitted by Daryl Phillippi

  • 1.5MB Adobe (.pdf) file: VFP-62 enters the supersonic era A good read!! USE BROWSER "BACK ARROW" TO RETURN TO THIS PAGE



    This November 27, 1957 Newsletter from the VFP-62 commanding officer, covers the days when the squadron received the supersonic F8U-1P (later RF-8A). Written from the home base at NAS Jacksonville before the move to NAS Cecil Field.



"It was an exciting time to be on the FDR with F8s in burner leaving the deck."
--John Dwyer (FDR Det. 37-59)


    Det 42-58 (USS Forrestal) Newsletters
    The first Detachment with F8U-1P's on the USS Forrestal

    submitted by James Taylor USN Ret.

  • Click to see: VFP-62 August 1958 Newsletter



    Photo Courtesy - Marion Swinford

    First row seated LTJG R G Walters (Bucky), LTJG J P Hennessey (Jack), LTJG C W Counter (Charlie), LTCDR C E Ray (Charlie), Chief ADJ Curtis Miller, LTJG C M Chitty(Charlie), LTJG H C North (Hank)

    Second row standing, AE3 Charlie Browning, PM1 Walter Scanlon, AN Lee McCoy, personelman Ken Tuel, AK2 Leroy George, Steward David Allen, An Daniel Perez, AN Dary Phillippi, AN David Saville, PM2 Ed Kinda, AMS2 John Fuller, AE3 Hideo Higashi(Sam), ANADJ Marion Swinford APR2 Bobby Graham, ADJ3 Bobby Jones, AMS1 Emile Cory (Pops), AN Richar Joline, ADJ1 Arthur Mead, PM3 Ron Lebo, AO3 Doug Heavner, PM2 Charles Jarvela, ADJ3 T A Greene, ADJ2 William Farrar, AME2 Marty Slater, AN Carlos Estevezm and ADJ3 J D Miller.

    Det 43-58 (USS Saratoga) Newsletters

    submitted by Marion Swinford

  • March 1958 Newsletter

  • April 1958 Newsletter

  • May 1958 Newsletter

  • June 1958 Newsletter

  • July 1958 Newsletter

  • August 1958 Newsletter

  • September 1958 Newsletter

  • Det 43-58 Cruise Book -


    • Also see more photos: "Faces of VFP-62" Page 6---Use Browser Return Arrow to Return Here



    Det 45-58 (USS Essex) Photos

    submitted by Richard Maioriello

    (7/15/13) Introduction: In July 1958 Lebanon was threatened by a civil war between Maronite Chistians and Muslims. Lebanese Muslims pushed the government to join the newly created United Arab Republic while the Christians wanted to keep Lebanon aligned with the Western powers. Soviet Premier Nikita Khrushchev threatened to use nuclear weapons in the event of an American intervention.

    President Eisenhower responded by authorizing Operation Blue Bat in July 15, 1958. The plan was to occupy and secure the Beirut International Airport, then secure the port of Beirut and appoaches to the city.

    At the end-of-June the USS Essex was anchored at Piraeus, Greece. Also, the carriers USS Saratoga (CVA-60) [see Det 43-58 above] and Wasp were in the Mediterranean.

    The U.S. withdrew its forces in October 1958. [Source: Wikipedia]

  • Click to see: Det 45-58 Photos






    (4/10/23) Det 64-62 (USS Constellation) Shakedown Cruise
    submitted by Bruce Nason



    Click to see: Det 64_62 Photos

    Det 42 (USS Franklin D. Roosevelt) 1962-63

    submitted by Richard Chilton

  • Adobe (pdf format) 2MB file: Page 1 photos -Pilot is Lt. j.g. Rodney Rogers

  • Adobe (pdf format) 2MB file: Page 2 photos -Photomate Harper

    USS Enterprise Det 65 Feb-July 1963


    click to enlarge

    The "Umbilly Cords"---(L-R) Jack Lingley, Don (a Raytheon Rep), LCDR Frank Liberato, Tucker Taylor (pilot form VA 64 or 164 A-4 squadron), LCDR Newby Kelt, LT Jim Curry, a RIO from VF-102. The head in the back was a LTV rep---CLICK PHOTO TO ENLARGE...photo Cdr. Newby Kelt

    "We were just a group of guys with VFP 62 including Frank Liberato, Newby and me leading the group. We did not call ourselves a chorus, but used to sing or perform at Air Wing parties and special events in the Wardroom."---Jim Curry



    (10/12/15) Photo: Pete Wallace

  • Det 65 (Feb-Apr 1963) Newsletter--submitted by John Sees

  • Click to see: Det 65 (July 1963) Newsletter--submitted by Jim Trenoskie


"I'm 58 years old. My earliest memory as a child is the smell of jet fuel. My father, LtCmdr. Joe Pline USN Ret. (deceased) served with VFP-62 in or around 1957. I still wear his squadron patch on my riding jacket (with his permission of course)." -- Dale Pline

    YouTube Video -- VFP-62 circa 1964

    submitted by Frank Buesing

    Description of scenes in the video:

  • FLIGHT SCHOOL - T-34 MENTOR SAUFLEY FIELD - NAS PENSACOLA 1964!

  • USS FORRESTAL ARRIVING AT NAS ROOSEVELT ROADS - FEB/1964 "21 GUN SALUTE"

  • "OPERATION SPRINGBOARD" FLIGHT OPERATIONS - FEB/1964 USS FORRESTAL - VFP-62

  • SCENES FROM NAS CECIL FIELD 1964

  • EXTERNAL LINK to You.Tube: Video of VFP-62 circa 1964)

    1967-68 FDR Det 42 Cruise Book Photos

    submitted by Ken Keber


  • Click to see: FDR Det 42 1967-68 Cruise Book Photos

    • [Webmaster's Note: VFP-62 was disestablished in January 1968. This detachment originated as VFP-62 but became VFP-63 on January 4,1968.]

  • (2/14/18)

    [Webmaster: I suspect this sign was once hung in the VFP-62 detachment ready room of the USS Independence CVA-62. Amazingly, it must have been thrown overboard, floated in the sea, and found, as noted in the message below. Sixth Fleet carriers made liberty calls to Istanbul, Turkey and had to navigate from the Agean Sea through the Marmara Sea.

    I'm requesting information from anyone who might have seen this sign on the USS Independence in 1960-69 period.

    The sign shows the VFP-62 logo "Eyes of the Fleet."]



    Hi

    My father found this between 1965-1970 in Marmara sea in Istanbul [Turkey]. I want to ask is it a valuable piece or not ?

    Thanks

    Altu Kizavul


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    Please Recommend Us To Your Friends

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    Updated 3/9/18


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