CVA62 * CV62
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ENTER:
NAME, DIVISION,
or SQUADRON, etc.
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Welcome Aboard
The Declaration of the
INDEPENDENCE
Indy Reunion Association
Denis Bagley President
(click here for info)
Ship's Store
Indy Reunion Association
(click here)
USS Independence
Club on Yahoo
Hosted by: Earl Langley
USS INDEPENDENCE
STATUS INFORMATION
Provided by
N * V * R
STRICKEN
To be disposed of,
type of disposal
not known.
Status Date
08 March 2004
Shipmate Links
USS Independence
CVL-22 Reunion Group
USS Independence
LCS-2
Under Construction
CVS32 * CV32
U.S.S. LEYTE
Al Seguin
Navy News
Hull Number
SPECIAL THANKS !
For their help in developing
these Ship's Co. Pages
Leigh D. Allvord
M Div. * 1958-1960
Richard E. Binder
S3 Div. * 1974-1975
Michael Craven
A Div. 1962-1965
Dave Foley
"Sparrowhawk"
V0 Div. * 1980-1983
Earl D. Galloway
V1 Div. * 1960 - 1963
John L. Hedinger
RVAH-1 * 1964-1967
OZ Div. * 1970 - 1974
Pat Little
V2 Div. 1967 - 1971
OX Div. 1984 / 1985
Ron Phillips
CR Div. * 1977 - 1980
Stanley Richardson
RVAH-12 * 1971
Bill Sullens
V1 Div. * 1959 - 1963
Steve D. West
A Div. * 1976 - 1978
Cruise Books
These Cruise Books
have been donated to the
Independence Memorial Library
for use in developing this site
1959 Shake Down
Dave Foley
"Sparrow Hawk"
VO Division
1961 Med Cruise
Charles D. Arnold
OE Division
1965 WestPac Cruise
John L. Hedinger
RVAH-1
1966 / 1967 Med Cruise
John L. Hedinger
RVAH-1
1971 / 1972 Med Cruise
John Zieba
VAW-122
1974 / 1975 Med Cruise
Richard E. Binder
S-3 Division
1977 Med Cruise
Steve D. West
A Division
Computer
Special Thanks Also To
Ron Phillips
CR Div. * 1977 - 1980
For Upgrading My Old
Computer by Donating a
Dell Dimension 8100
Running XP professional
My Apologies
To those who have sent
their names and additional
information, that I have
not yet added.
This project has become
very large and though I
work on it almost every
day, it is impossible
for me to keep up.
I will continue to add the
names and information as
quickly as I can.
Thank You All
For Your Support
George Fetherman AN
V1 blue shirt then
Rep 8 red shirt
& hot suit man
1958 - 1960
Dave Foley
SparrowHawk60@aol.com
Anyone out there with information
on any of my subject matter,
feel free to send me
additions and / or corrections.
To Contact Me
gfetherman@zcloud.com
If you've ever been stationed
aboard the "Indy"
Ships Company, Air Group or
Marine Detachment
Let me know when you were
aboard so I can add you to
"Ships Company / Air Group /
Marine Detachment Pages".
This Page Updated 03.22.08 gwf |
Robert Alderman.ABH3
V-1 Division
1962 -
 |
* |
Drowned while ship was tied up
at pier 12, Norfolk. |
| Information provided by Bill Sullens, V-1 Div * Nov 1959 -
Feb 1963 |
Pat Allen.AN
V-1 Division
1959 -
 |
* |
Yellow Shirt
Killed in a freak accident on elevator #3,
where the Tractors were parked when
not in use.
|
| Information provided by Bill Sullens, V-1 Div * Nov 1959 -
Feb 1963 |
| Robert L. Anderson |
* |
Died 03 February 1990
1964 /Nam World Tour
All I know is he did something with pictures
that were taken by the air planes over nam. |
|
information provided by: His son D. Anderson
|
Ray Auston
 |
* |
Died, March 1999 |
| information provided by: Bobby Burditt
|
Thomas J. Bennet ADJ2
VFP-62
1964
 |
* |
Killed in a flight deck accident
May 23,1964.
Born in December of 1941. |
| information provided by:
John Sees * VFP-62 |
Richard E. Binder SA
S-3 Division
1974 -1978
 |
 |
Richard Binder of
Marinette, Wisconsin
Died of a Heart attack at age 44
27 Dec 1999
Anyone who remembers Richard,
please contact his Daughter Jenny
flying_babyb@yahoo.com
Thank You !!! |
| information provided by: his Brother LeRoy and his Daughter Jenny. (baby b) |
Robert Lewis Bowes Jr. FN
Onboard during Desert storm.
 |
* |
Died 10 March 2003
Anyone who remembers Robert, please
contact his brother Leon
leon_smith_2000@yahoo.com
Thank You !!! |
| Information provided by his brother Leon Smith |
Patrick J. Brophy
E Division
1963
 |
|
03 Sep 1942 - 01 Jul 1984
|
|
information provided by: George W. Lewis - E Div. 60-63
|
Buckstone ABF2
 |
* |
ABF2 buckstone when he was pulled
through an S-3 engine on the
flight deck. |
| information provided by: Brian Mmiller - 3rd. Div. 80-82 |
James W. Carter ADR-2
VAQ-33
1968
 |
* |
Died 28 Oct 1968
Air Crewman on an EA-1F
|
|
information provided by:
Dave Foley ABH2 "SparrowHawk" VO Div.Mar 80 - Oct 83
|
James E. Casey AM3
1977 - 1979
 |
* |
Died of cancer, age 22
02 April 1982
Diagnoised while at sea
on the INDEPENDENCE |
| Odis F. Chauncey |
* |
Died 14 September 1990
His daughter Lisa Ann Jones is looking
for anyone who knew her father.
If you did please contact
Dave Foley
SparrowHawk60@aol.com
Thank You !!!
|
|
information provided by: His Daughter Lisa Ann Jones
|
Robert L. Chicoine CPO
1958 - 1959 |
* |
Plank Owner
Died 2003
Joined the navy when he was seventeen
and served in WWII. Retired from the
USN after 20 years. A member of VFW
Howard Plant Post 782 and was the
Chaplain and the Junior Vice Commander.
He also was a member of the RVA in
Winooski, Vermont. Our whole family
was so proud of him, we still are.
We have a real true hero
in our family. |
|
In formation provided by his granddaughter Aubrey J.
Chicoine |
Julian Ray Chilidonia
VMA-331
06 Jul 1948 - 30 Janl 1995
 |
* |
Died of a heart attack at age 46
at home in Charmco, West
Virginia |
| information provided by: His close friend and shipmate Daniel P. Petersen
VA-65
|
| Robert L. Cook AD2 |
 |
Died 11 Jan 2003
|
| information provided by: His Son MSgt Robert A. Cook,
USAF |
John D'Amico AM3
VFP-62
1960 - 1964
|
* |
Died 1995
|
|
Information Provided by His son Jeff D'Amico |
"A. J." Dale
VAH-1
|
* |
Died during 1st. Med. cruise 3rd crewman
of an A3D that had its left main mount
collapse. The aircraft trapped, went into the
port catwalk and hung to the arresting
gear cable for about 1 minute, then the tail
hook failed and the plane went into the
water. The pilot Lt. Bill Reyn, also died in
this crash. The BN was picked up
by the helicopter on plane guard. |
| Information provided by:
Bill Sullens & Earl Galloway V1 Div. |
Don Diehl RD2
OI Division
1968 - 1970
 |
* |
Retired as LCDR in the early 1990's.
Worked in OI Division & CIC whil on INDY.
Died 1998 of cancer
|
|
Information Provided by Lt. Pat Little |
| Thomas Keith Dobson |
* |
GSEC Thomas Keith Dobson,
U.S. Navy retired, died Thursday, February 5,
2004 after battling cancer, surrounded by
faimly and friends. He was a native of Belton,
Missouri and had lived in Savannah , GA. for
the past 12 years. He attended Belton public
school and graduated in 1967. He then
attended South west Baptist College prior to
joining the U.S. Navy. He served for 22 years,
beginning in san Diego for training. He served
aboard the USS Sierra, USS Independence,
service craft in Bangor, Washington, USS
Saipan, USS Clark and USS Samuel Eliot
Morison, helping to commission the USS
Saipan and USS S. E. Morison. He was also
stationed at Philadelphia, PA, Great Lakes, IL.
Norfolk, VA, Pensacola, FL and Charleston S.C.
|
|
information provided by: Jackie Ray U. S. N.
Ret. |
George K. Fullam Jr. ADJ3
VF-33
1968 - 1971
 |
* |
Passed away 31 Mar 2005 in Florida
from a heart attack. George was laid
to rest in Calverton National Cemetary
on Long Island, NY with
full military honors.
|
Lawrence Gallagher AT1
VQ-2
 |
* |
Died 03 November 1966
|
| information provided by: John L. Hedinger PT2 - RVAH-1
1964 -1967 |
Michael J. Gary, Jr. YNCS
1962 - 1964
 |
* |
Michael J. Gary, Jr., 62, of Gulfport died
March 28, 2004 in Gulfport, Ms.
Mr. Gary had been a resident of the
Coast for 2 years. He was a member of
the North Jackson Lodge #620 A&FM,
former member of Scottish Rite & Wahabi
Temple in Jackson, MS, secretary of the
Gulf Coast Sportsman Club, and President
of the Gulf Coast Nomads Chapter of
Good Sams. Mr. Gary was retired as a
Chief Petty Officer from the United States
Navy. He served as secretary for the USS
Independence CV62 Reunion Committee,
was Vice Commander of the Redfish Base
USSVI, and was a member of the VFW
Toxie Stapleton Post in Jackson, MS
|
| information provided by: Denis Bagley
|
Donald J. Gauthier
May 1963 - Apr
1964
|
 |
Died Mar 2002
Engineering Yeoman
Engine Log Room |
| information provided by his son Patrick Gauthier, daughter
Doris Rae Aarhus & son Donald J. Gauthier, Jr. |
Julian Brent Gislason
1966 - 1969 |
* |
Died of cancer 21 February 2007
He was born on January 27th. 1947.
He passed away just after celebrating
is 60th birthday and his 25th wedding
anniversary. He was able to see me
(his son) get married and was able
to see his other son, Julian Robert
Gislason come home from his second
tour in Iraq.
|
|
information provided by his son Steve L Gislason |
Dennis Greene
1959
 |
* |
TAD To The INDY OPS From Pax River
Died 24 Aug 1959 In Flight Accident.
F-8U hit ramp on landing and broke off
both landing gear. Left landing gear
flew into port catwaslk. |
| information provided by Marvin Saldeen PHA3 Pax River TAD to OPS. |
Thomas Frank Gubernatis Sr.
1971 |
 |
Died 06 January 2001
at the age of 53
due to complications of
melanoma cancer. |
|
Information & Photo Provided by His son Thomas Frank Gubernatis Jr. |
| information provided by: Pat Little V-2 Div. 1967/71 & Frank Frizzell V-2 Div. 1965/68 |
Kenneth M. Jones
E Division 1963
05 Aug 1940 - 13 Jan 1988
|
|
* |
| information provided by: George W. Lewis - E Div. 60-63 |
Keith A. Kleis ADJ2
VQ-2
|
* |
Died 03 November 1966 |
| information provided by: John L. Hedinger PT2 - RVAH-1
1964 -1967 |
Nick Kolasar SH1
1968 - 1969
 |
* |
Died 30 Apr 2006
He was from Goose Creek, SC.
|
|
information provided by: Denis Bagley - President USS Independence
Reunion Association |
Paul H. Marshall SH1
S-3 Division
1959 -1964
  |
 |
Plank Owner
Passed away June 5, 2005 of cancer.
Was 67 yrs.old. Born Nov. 23,1937.
Served in the Navy 25 May 1956
to 13 July 1966.
Anyone who remembers Paul
please contact his wife Kathleen
KEM39@insightbb.com
Thank You !!! |
| information provided by: Paul's wife Kathleen |
Thomas Marchisilo MSCS
S-8 Division
1982
 |
* |
Died of a heart attack
04 December 1982
while on deployment |
| information provided by:
His Son David Marchisilo & Daughter Lisa A. Kaempf |
Richard Russell McCall SFP3
"Mac"
R Division
Jan 1959 - 19Jun 1962
 |
 |
Plank Owner
Passed away July 20, 2007
of sarcoma of the abdomen.
He was 66 yrs.old.
Born Dec. 19,1940.
Served in the Navy from
Jan 1958 until
discharged Aug 1963.
USS Tarawa CVS-40
Nov 58 - Jan 59
USS Independence CVA-62
Jan 59 - Jun 1962
USS Greenwich Bay AVP-41
Jun 1962 - Aug 1963
(Seaplane Tender)
|
| information provided by:
Mac's Daughter Sheree Stoothoff |
David W. McCusker ATR3
VQ-2
 |
* |
Died 03 November 1966 |
| information provided by: John L. Hedinger PT2 - RVAH-1
1964 -1967 |
Bobby J McWilliams ETCM
CMC
1978 - 1979
 |
* |
* |
| information provided by:
His Grandson SGT Christopher B. McWilliams - US ARMY |
William Addison Mitchell AE3
VAW-12
1965
 |
* |
Killed In Action 12 September 1965
Westpac Cruise. |
| Westpac 1965 cruise book.information
provided by: Ed King Va72 & Pat Villani VA75 |
Howard T. "Bear" Moore Jr. AN
V1 Division
01 Feb 1961 - 01 Feb 1963
|
* |
Died 28 October 1989
He was in Repair 8 and was a Tilly driver.
|
| Information provided by Bill Sullens, V-1 Div * Nov 1959 -
Feb 1963 |
| James Thomas Moore |
* |
Died 06 April 1961 |
| Information provided by:
Charles D. Arnold OE Div. * 1961 - 1962 |
Darrell Thomas Morgan MM3
"Gomer"
M Division
18 Sep 70 - 24 Feb 74
 |
|
Died 04 February 2007
|
| Information provided by:
His daughter Michelle Leigh & Earl T. Langley, Jr. |
Sidney V. Nelson MMCS
1958 - 1959
 |
* |
Plank Owner
USN Ret.
During his 26 years of service
considered the Indy one of
his best tours of duty
Died 5 May 2000
Survived by his wife Kathleen
and his son
Jack |
| Information provided by: Jack Nelson - 82nd. Airborne |
Willie D. Nickson RM2
CR Division
Dec 1961 - May 1963
 |
* |
RMCM (SW) Nickson retired from active
duty August 1987. He passed away
November 18, 2002
From complications of a stroke
and prostate cancer. |
| Information provided by: LCDR Charles D. Arnold, USN (Ret) - OE Div. 61 - 62 |
Jerry L. Ottney YN1
1977 * VA-65
 |
* |
* |
William "Bill" Potts HMCM
H Division
1959 - 1962
 |
 |
Died 03 Jan 2003
Chief Reilly regularly attended the reuniions.
of the USS Independence. |
Roy J. Price AN
V4 Division
1962 - 1966
|
* |
Passed away in 1988 at 42 years old.
While onboard he was also thrown
overboard and spent some time in
nets on the side of the ship, when
he was found he was very
sunburned and dehydrated.
Anyone who has a photo with Roy
in it please contactCheryl
CHE4ELVIS@aol.com
Thank You !!! |
| Information provided by: His Sister, Cheryl Price Flynn |
Thomas "Tom" Reilly EMC
E Division
1958 - 1962
 |
 |
Plank Owner
Died Mar 2008 - He was 83 or 84Chief Reilly regularly attended the reuniions.
of the USS Independence. As well as reunions
of at least five other ships that he served on.
The Chief was a survivor of the Pearl Harbor
attack, as he served aboard the USS Helm.
|
| Information provided by: Carl Mottern & Denis Bagley
|
| Information provided by:
His Daughter, Jacqueline |
| Information provided in memorial of her father by his proud daughter, Denise R. Thomas |
Roger Dale Shaw BT3
B Division
17 May 1961 - 09 Feb 1963
 |
 |
Died 08 February 1992
|
| Information provided in memorial of his late father by his proud son, Daniel |
'J' 'K' Sloan AE2
HC-2
1965
 |
* |
Killed In Action 16 May 1965
West Pac |
| Westpac 1965 cruise book.information
provided by: Ed King Va72 & Pat Villani VA75 |
Donald Tofil BT3
B Division
1962 - 1965
|
* |
March 1942 to August 1995 |
| Information
provided at: 2007 Indy Reunion |
| Information provided by:
Bill Sullens & Earl Galloway V1 Div. |
John R. Walter Jr. AE-2
VAQ-33
1968
|
* |
Died 28 Oct 1968
Air Crewman on an EA-1F |
|
information provided by:
Dave Foley ABH2 "SparrowHawk" VO Div.Mar 80 - Oct 83
|
Christopher Warnebold SH3
S-3
(circa)1992 - 1994
 |
* |
Passed away in a terrible car
accident some years back.
May he rest in peace. |
|
information provided by:
Christopher Monahan SH3 * S-3 Div. 1992 - 1994 |
| Information provided by:
Bill Sullens & Earl Galloway V1 Div. |
Walter H. White
1965 |
* |
Died 11 February2000
|
| Information Provided by His son Brian
White |
Arthur Quentin Wigglesworth AMS3
VA-66
|
* |
* |
1971 - 1972 cruise book.information
provided by: John Zieba
VAW-122 |
Charles Arthur Woolwine AMS2
HC-2
1965
 |
* |
Killed In Action 16 May 1965
West Pac
|
| Westpac 1965 cruise book.information
provided by: Ed King Va72 & Pat Villani VA75 |
Roger Eugene Wright AN
V1 Division
1961
|
* |
Died 26 November 1961
- it was bad, I was about 15 - 20
feet from him when it happened. He died
on the flight deck just about where
Fly 2 and Fly 3 meet. "Bill Sullens" |
| Information provided by:
Bill Sullens & Earl Galloway V1 Div. |
LT Robert Franklin Barber
A-6A Intruder Pilot
 |
* |
VA-75
Killed In Action 18 September 1965 |
| Westpac 1965 cruise book.information
provided by: Ed King Va72 & Pat Villani VA75 |
LT Alfred H. Gabriels
EA-1F (AD-5Q) Skyraider Pilot
|
* |
VAQ-33
Died 28 Oct 1968 |
|
information provided by:
Dave Foley ABH2 "Sparrow Hawk" VO Div.Mar 80 - Oct 83
|
LTJG Robert H. Golden,
A-3D Skywarrior 'Whale' Pilot
1959
|
* |
Joined VAH-1 March 1959
Died after his A3D crashed
immediately after a catapult
launching at 10:07 on
19 June 1959
Was one of the few
Lieutenants Junior Grade
to fly as an A3D pilot.
He was 24 years old. |
| information from the "Tiger Times" July 1959 provided by: Bob Alonzo VAH-1 |
LTJG Neil M. Grant
|
* |
Plank Owner
Passed away 29 Mar 2002
Buried at the new
Georgia Veteran's Memorial Cemetery
Attended by a Navy Honor Guard.
|
| Information provided by:
Vincent P. Mancuso, Col. (U.S.Army, Ret.) |
LT Carl Eugene Gronquist, Jr.
RA-5C Vigilante Pilot
1965
|
* |
RVAH-1
Killed In Action 20 July 1965 |
| Westpac 1965 cruise book.information
provided by: Ed King Va72 & Pat Villani VA75 |
Lt. Daniel Richard Hertzfeldt
F4H-1 Phantom II Pilot
Apr 1964 - Feb 1967
|
* |
VF-41
Died in 1968 just after take off from
Andrews AFB enroute to Kingsville Texas NAS
Anyone who knew him, please contact
Daniel R. Teasdale.
yamboy@teasdale.us
Thank You !!! |
| information provided by: Daniel R.
Teasdale |
Cdr Harold F. Hicks
A-6A Intruder Pilot
1966
|
* |
VA-75
Killed 16 August 1966 |
| information provided by: John L. Hedinger PT2 - RVAH-1
1964 -1967 |
LT Roy Hubert Hodge 3rd.
EA-6B Prowler Pilot
1982
|
* |
VAQ-131
Drowned after his EA6B
went into the water
30 July 1982 |
| information provided by: Dave Foley "Sparrow Hawk" - V0 Div. 80-83 |
LT Steven E. Kadas
A-4C Skyhawk Pilot
BUNO 148564 #304
|
|
VA-72
Killed Making Night Landing
23 August 1963 - 22:40
Anyone Who Knew Lt. Kadas
Please Contact His Daughter Inlaw
Kara Kadas
ekkadas@nmia.com
Thank You !!! |
| Information
provided by: Kara Kadas |
LTJG Gene G. Kaup
EA-1F (AD-5Q) Skyraider Flight Officer
 |
* |
VAQ-33
Died 28 Oct 1968 |
|
information provided by:
Dave Foley ABH2 "SparrowHawk" VO Div.Mar 80 - Oct 83
|
LCdr Monard L. Lilleboe
A-6A Intruder Pilot
(1966)
|
* |
VA-75
Died 03 November 1966 |
| information provided by: John L. Hedinger PT2 - RVAH-1 1964 -1967 |
CDR Valentin George Matula
RA-5C Vigilante Pilot
1965
|
* |
RVAH-1
Killed In Action 20 July 1965 |
| Westpac 1965 cruise book.information
provided by: Ed King Va72 & Pat Villani VA75 |
CDR David "Barrel" McRae
RA-5C Vigilante Pilot
XO 1976 - 03 Jan 1977
CO 03 Jan 1977 - 24 Aug 1978
|
 |
RVAH-12
David "Barrel" McRae
05 Jan 1939 - 01 Mar 1991
passed away from an
asthma attack/heart attack
on March 1st 1991 |
LTJG George J. McWilliams,
A3D Bombardier/ Navigator
1959
|
* |
Joined
VAH-1January 1958
In July he was sent to
bombardier/navigator training,
returned back to squardron
March 1959.
Died after his A3D crashed
immediately after a catapult
launching at 10:07 on
19 June 1959
He was 33 years old. |
| information from the "Tiger Times" July 1959
provided by: Bob Alonzo VAH-1 |
| The Third Crewman Jonathan Shanks,AQB3
Survived
with minor injuries. |
LTJG Robert Floyd Mortimer
|
* |
HU-2 * Det 41
Died 06 September 1961
Mr. Mortimer's helicopter rotor blade
hit a boom on a support ship.
The helicopter crewman got out,
Mr. Mortimer did not.
|
| Information provided by:
Bill Sullens & Earl Galloway V1 Div. |
LTJG Joe Russell Mossman
A-4E Skyhawk Pilot
1965
|
* |
VA-72
Killed In Action 13 September 1965 |
| Westpac 1965 cruise book.information
provided by: Ed King Va72 & Pat Villani VA75 |
| Information provided by:
Ed Behney via Earl Langley |
LCDR Stanley Edward Olmstead
F-4B Phantom II Pilot
1964 -1967
|
* |
VF-84
Killed In Action 17 October 1965 |
| Westpac 1965 cruise book.information
provided by: Ed King Va72 & Pat Villani VA75 |
LTJG John Paul Price
|
* |
VF-84
Died 22 August 1961 |
| Information provided by:
Bill Sullens & Earl Galloway V1 Div. |
Lt Harold L. Quint
A-6A Intruder NFO
Navy Flight Officer
1966
|
* |
VA-75
Killed 16 August 1966 |
|
information provided by: John L. Hedinger PT2 - RVAH-1 1964 -1967
|
LT Bill Reyn
A-3D Skywarrior 'Whale' Pilot
1960 - 1961
|
* |
VAH-1
Died during 1st. Med. cruise
Pilot of an A3D that had its left main
mount collapse. The aircraft trapped,
went into the port catwalk and hung to
the arresting gear cable for about 1
minute, then the tail hook failed and the
plane went into the water. Mr. Reyn,
and the 3rd crewman "A. J." Dale both
died in this crash. The BN was picked
up by the helicopter on plane guard. |
| Information provided by:
Bill Sullens & Earl Galloway V1 Div. |
LT Louis Rogers
F-4B Phantom II Pilot
1964
|
* |
VF-41
Killed when his plane had an engine
failure. 3 Feb 1964
His RIO, LTJG Critchfield survived
largely because of his attempt at an
in flight restart and a few extra
seconds to eject. LT Rogers died
on his 33rd birthday on the way
home from a Med cruise.
He was a great guy and a class act! |
Lt. Walter B. Shaw
F8U Crusader Pilot
1959
USNA 1954
Captain of Baseball Team
|
* |
VF-11
Pilot of the First F8U-1
Launched from the Independence
Lost Due To Cold Cat Shot
Accident Occured During
Shakedown 1959 |
| Information provided by: Michael
Couture |
Cdr. John Shuff
A4D-2 Skyhawk Pilot
C.O. VA-86
1960 - 1961
|
* |
VA-86
Died during 1st. Med. cruise
Cdr. John Shuff and LCdr Howie Thayer
had a night time in-flight collision
about 2 - 3 miles aft of the ship. One
went straight in, the other one made
a low pass over the angle deck, went
out turned downwind and also crashed.
All that was ever found of the two
aircraft was one tip tank. One of the
two was leading the other one back to
the ship, because he had a major
electrical failure, or had lost his
navigation system. After the collision,
nothing was heard from either aircraft. |
| Information provided by:
Bill Sullens & Earl Galloway V1 Div. |
Ltjg James H. Stilz, Jr.
|
* |
VQ-2
Died 03 November 1966 |
| information provided by: John L. Hedinger PT2 - RVAH-1
1964 -1967 |
LCdr Howie Thayer
A4D-2 Skyhawk Pilot
C.O. VA-86
1960 - 1961
|
* |
VA-86
Died during 1st. Med. cruise
LCdr Howie Thayer and Cdr. John Shuff
had a night time in-flight collision
about 2 - 3 miles aft of the ship. One
went straight in, the other one made
a low pass over the angle deck, went
out turned downwind and also crashed.
All that was ever found of the two
aircraft was one tip tank. One of the
two was leading the other one back to
the ship, because he had a major
electrical failure, or had lost his
navigation system. After the collision,
nothing was heard from either aircraft. |
| Information provided by:
Bill Sullens & Earl Galloway V1 Div. |
AdditionalInformation provided by:
Dan Jacobs, USS Valley Forge CV45
Am a former-airdale who served aboard the VALLEY FORGE CV45 back in the fifties
and wanted to give you a note on LCDR Thayer. He was a hero from the Korean War
when he served aboard the VALLEY FORGE with VF-194
So much so that they used his story in the movie "Men Of The Fighting Lady"
starring Van Johnson as Lt.(jg) Howie Thayer.
You can read about the story here:
http://skyraider.org/skyassn/warstor/warstor.htm#anchor62930
Scroll down to "Blind and Alone Over North Korea" |
Ltjg Victor C. Vogel
A-6A Intruder Pilot
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VQ-2
Died 03 November 1966 |
| information provided by: John L. Hedinger PT2 - RVAH-1
1964 -1967 |
CDR Leonard Frederick Vogt, Jr.
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VA-75 A-6A Pilot
Killed In Action 18 September 1965 |
| Westpac 1965 cruise book.information
provided by: Ed King Va72 & Pat Villani VA75 |
If you know someone stationed aboard the "Indy"
Ships Company, Air Group or Marine Detachment
who's name should be added to this page please
let me know so that I can add their name. Thank You!
Photo Provided by Ed Hewitt MMCS
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