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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 September 14, 2023
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Updated 3/9/18
 Quick Page Navigation Selections:
Click to go to: Memories and inspiring tributes to Navy and Shipmates and VC/VFP-62 Reunions: ---2008 reunion photos at Battleship Park Mobile AL. Dedicating restored VFP-62 RF-8A Crusader and visit to National Naval Aviation Museum, Pensacola, Florida. 2011 reunion at Jacksonville Forida: Visit to former NAS Cecil Field
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"
2008 & 2011 Reunion Photos
Battleship Park - Dedication of restored RF-8A (4/5/2008)
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Visiting former NAS Cecil Field (9/16/2011)
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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.
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
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CLICK TO SEE PHOTOS OF:
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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
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CLICK TO SEE: NAS CECIL FIELD---Photos, VFP-62 Time Capsule and More
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(5/3/23) Cecil Field---past and present: NAS Cecil Field--a look back A short history by Liberty Life Media. (Unfortunately, they didn't credit vfp62.com for some of the photos!) Provided by Buce Nason
Greg Engler's search and discovery of: VFP-62 Time Capsule--NAS Cecil Field
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(12/18/10)Click to see: Cecil Field C1--Photo 1 and Cecil Field C1--Photo 2..located at Grissom AFB. The plane was used to transport personnel, equipment, at Cecil Field. Photos: Frank Buesing
(5/9/12)Fun look-back at:JAX Air News/Afterburner Issues --Articles about VFP-62 but there is a link to all pages of each issue. Check out the advertisements. Contributed by Greg Engler
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CLICK TO SEE: VFP-62 MEMORABILIA--- Songs, Poem, Detachment Memories
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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
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, 1951Photo 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
VFP-62 crew aboard USS Intrepid (circa 1957)
Photo: Robert Stiles PH2 via Barry Stiles (son)
Click photo to enlarge
VC/VFP-62 Detachments 1956 - 1959
Cruise Report VFP-62 Det 31-56 Med Cruise
USS Coral Sea
August 13, 1956 - Feb. 11, 1957
LT. Marlin Vincent Egert's F2H-2P
(12/8/12) Adobe (.pdf) file: Det 31-56 Cruise Report Contributed by the family of Lt. Marlin Vincent Egert: Tom, Mike, Mark & Geoffrey Egert, sons
Mrs. Egert aboard Coral Sea with F2H-2P
Photos via: Jean Marshall (daughter of Lt. D.S. Ward)
Webmaster: While the photo indicates Coral Sea, the detachment deployed to USS Randolph
VFP-62 crew and F9F-8P on USS Saratoga (1956)
Photo: Robert Stiles PH2 via Barry Stiles (son)
Click photo to enlarge
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)
VFP-62 detachment logo on F9F-8P Cougar
aboard USS Intrepid (CV-11) circa 1957
Photo: Robert Stiles PH2 collection via Barry Stiles (son)
Click photo to enlarge
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.
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 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 -
Click to see more photos: "Faces of VFP-62" Use the browser back arrow to return here.
(6/7/23)VFP-62 Det. 43-58 - Med Cruise 1958 Video
by Daryl Phillippi PH1 VFP-62
Webmaster: This entertaining video was on the "Bulletin Board" for a number of years. It really is a fun experience to see what Daryl has put together.
During this pandemic I have found myself with a lot of time on my hands.
In my younger years I shot a lot of films. In modern times it is so easy to convert to digital and edit them. Therefore I have put together a 10 1/2 minute video of the USS Saratoga and injected some shots of the VFP-62 detachment and ended with a lot of the crew and a video of a bunch of "kids" acting like kids at a beach party.--- Daryl Phillippi
Webmaster: Click the link to see Daryl's ten minute video: USS Saratoga and VFP-62 Beach Party by Daryl Phillippi
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
VFP-62 Det 37-59 Cruise Book Photos
USS Franklin D. Roosevelt
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VFP-62 Cecil Field Newsletters submitted by Robert Strong
and Marion Swinford
- Cecil Field: VFP-62 Newsletter April 1960-Cecil Field
Missing pages added: cover, pages, 2, 4, 5, 6, 8, 11, & 12. Thanks to David Henson Slay Ph.D., grandson of Clyde Henson Thomas, Jr. ADC
- Cecil Field: VFP-62 Newsletter July 1960-Cecil Field
- Cecil Field: VFP-62 Newsletter August 1960-Cecil Field
- Cecil Field: VFP-62 Newsletter September 1960-Cecil Field
(4/10/23) Det 64-62 (USS Constellation) Shakedown Cruise
submitted by Bruce Nason
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
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)
(6/8/23) Det 42-65 "Peepin-Toms"
June - Dec. 1965 Med Cruise 
Submitted by Capt. Morris Hayes
1967 VFP-62 Squadron Roster submitted by Marion Swinford
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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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Updated 3/9/18
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