VT-11 | Torpedo Squadron Eleven and Yellow Water Naval Air Gunner's School (NAGS) | Disney designs - WALIKA'S US NAVY SQUADRON PATCHES

July 13Jul 13

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VT-11 | Torpedo Squadron Eleven and Yellow Water Naval Air Gunnery School (NAGS) | Disney designs

Below is insignia from a lot attributed to Thomas L. Barnes who enlisted in the Navy in August, 1944 and was discharged in 1949. He completed Air Crew Training and Gunnery School, with aircrewman designation, rated Aviation/Radioman and Aviation/Gunner second class. He crewed with torpedo bombers and dive bombers aboard the TBM-3E. Following the war he served in Bombing Squadron Five.

The grouping includes a rare VT-11 patch and Yellow Water Naval Air Gunnery School (NAGS) patch, both Disney designs, Aircrew Flight Log Book, Combat Air Crew Wings, Name Tape, Navy Ribbon Button, USN Shoulder Patch, Ship's ID Card. Naval Anchor Lapel Pin and photographs.

Torpedo Squadron Eleven

Today's Eagles of Strike Fighter Squadron 115 continue a proud legacy that dates to the dark months following the attacks on Pearl Harbor. Originally founded as Torpedo Squadron ELEVEN (VT-11) on 10 October 1942 the Eagles and their predecessors have been involved in every major American conflict since World War II. Having flown a multitude of aircraft from the TBF Avenger in the battlefields of the Pacific to the newest FA-18E over the sands of Iraq and Afghanistan, the tradition of excellence in action and devotion to duty has remained constant.

As the nation mobilized for war in the Pacific, Torpedo Squadron 11 launched the first daylight strikes against Bougainville and the Solomon Islands from their base on Guadalcanal. In October 1944, attached to USS HORNET, the crews of VT-11 formed the tip of the spear in the first strikes against Okinawa. Two weeks later, after the failed Japanese attempt to reinforce the Philippines at Leyte Gulf, VT-11 enhanced its growing legacy by launching on a 340 nautical mile strike to finish off the remnants of the Japanese fleet. For their heroic actions during the war the crews of VT-11 earned seven Navy Crosses and established a tradition that would continue long after the closing of World War II.

VT-11 returned to Naval Air Station San Diego. On 25 June 1945 the squadron received its first official patch, drawn by Walt Disney. The squadron was redesignated Attack Squadron TWELVE Able (VA-12A) in 1946.

VT-11 | Torpedo Squadron Eleven | Embroidered on twill | Design by Walt Disney

Yellow Water Naval Air Gunnery School | Jacksonville
Constructed in 1942, the Yellow Water Naval Air Gunnery School was a short-lived training facility located in Jacksonville, Florida. According to one source, nearly 30,000 men spent six weeks at the school learning all phases of aerial gunnery. The ranges themselves were complicated and expensive to construct. Seven different visible loop firing ranges used self-propelled target cars. Eight miles of railroad tracks were used to build these ranges. They would use as much as three million rounds a day. Yellow Water was one of only three U.S. Navy gunnery schools in the country and the largest. The other two schools were located in Purcell, Oklahoma, and Hollywood, Florida. Closed 1946.

Yellow Water Naval Air Gunnery School (NAGS)

Embroidered on twill | design by Walt Disney

Closing in 1946, the school was renamed to NAS Cecil Field during the Cold War with the facility being secretly used to store nuclear weapons.

Two sailors getting ready for a days supply of 50 calibers. They would use 3 million rounds a day at the Yellow Water Gunnery School at Jacksonville, Florida.