From a Navy Reserve pilot’s letters home, a picture of the darkest days of the Korean War. The squadron pilots pose on Valley Forge in July 1952, with 13 flight helmets for their fallen colleagues....

VA-23, nicknamed the Black Knights, was an Attack Squadron of the U.S. Navy, established as Reserve Fighter Squadron VF-653 in December 1949 at NAS Akron, Ohio. The squadron relocated to NAS Alameda on 16 April 1951. It was redesignated VF-151 on 4 February 1953, and as VA-151 on 7 February 1956.

Feb 1955: The squadron, deployed aboard Wasp (CVA 18), provided air suport during the evacuation of Chinese Nationalists from the Tachen Islands following the bombardment of the islands by the People’s Republic of China. Apr 1965: While operating from Midway, on Yankee Station, VA-23 conducted its first combat operations since the Korean War.

In February 1951, he returned to active duty as commanding officer of carrier-based Fighting Squadron 653 and flew the Chance-Vought F4U Corsair in 67 combat missions over North Korea. In May 1952, he was shot down by enemy ground fire during an interdiction mission in North Korea, but was rescued later the same day.

Attack Squadron 151 (ATKRON 151) VA-151 ‘Black Knights’ STATUS: established as VF-653 (reserve squadron) VF-653 activated on February 1, 1951

Find VF-653 unit information, patches, operation history, veteran photos and more on TogetherWeServed.com. TWS is the largest online community of Veterans existing today and is a powerful Veteran locator. If you served in VF-653, Join TWS for free to …

2016年10月18日 · 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 …

Six pilots of VF653 were killed or listed as missing in action during this combat tour. The greatest toll was taken by enemy radar guided anti-aircraft guns while repeatedly striking the same targets.

Back to Chapter index. Back to USS Valley Forge (CV 45) Korean Cruise Book 1951-52 Page. Back to USS Valley Forge Page. Back to 1st Page.