VBF-17 | Bomber-Fighter Squadron Seventeen

[walika]

VBF-17 | Bomber-Fighter Squadron Seventeen

 

Commissioned: 2 January 1945 NAS Agana, Guam

 

The squadron was established only a month before it entered combat. Personnel from VF-17 were the core of the newly established Bomber Fighter Squadron 17.

 

• 16–17 February 1945: The squadron participated in strikes against targets in and around the Tokyo area.
   
• 20–22 February 1945: Squadron aircraft participated in strikes against Iwo Jima and provided air support for the landings on the island.
   
• 18–19 March 1945: Major strikes were conducted by squadron aircraft against Kanoya, the largest airfield on Kyushu and against the Japanese Fleet anchored at Kure Naval Base.
   
• March–May 1945: The squadron conducted strikes in support of the Okinawa campaign
   
• 7 Apr 1945: The unit participated in the combined task force strikes against the super battleship Yamato and its accompanying escorts, resulting in the sinking of Yamato, two cruisers and three destroyers.
   
• May 1945: The squadron participated in strikes against Kyushu and Shikoku, hitting aircraft plants and airfields. On 14 May the squadron’s commanding officer, LTCDR H. W. Nicholson, was killed in action during a strike against Kyushu. Lieutenant (jg) Carl V. Stone became an Ace when he added two Franks (a Japanese Army Fighter) to his total of downed aircraft.

 

Embroidered on wool.

 

 

Insigne: Colors for the skeleton riding a rocket were: a background with a deep purple sky, aquamarine water and white clouds outlined in pale blue; the skeleton had a deep purple sombrero, a white face with light green shading and deep purple sockets, magenta shirt with an orange neckerchief, the hands were white with light green markings, teal trousers with a light blue cuff, tan boots with a brown sole, dark purple stirrups, tan saddle with pommel and under-portions brown; light gray rocket outlined in purple with yellow and orange lines emanating from the tail, light gray pistol outlined in purple with yellow smoke, magenta bomb, and a brown belt and holster.

 

 

 

Source:

Roberts, Michael D. Dictionary of American Naval Aviation Squadrons. Naval Historical Center, 2000. Vol I. pp 169-170.