Leyte (CV 32) - Naval Cruise Book

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FIGHTER SQUADRON THIRTY-ONE r W1 ZHTINE A9 VF-3 fnow VF -311, is known to have been one of the Navyis oldest and finest fighter squadrons. Its history goes back long before World War Two, and has a roll of honor boasting such names as THATCH, FLATLEY, BROWN, GAYLOR, and O,HARE. AS PART of Air Group Three, VF-3 was formed at Sand Point, Seattle in September 1943 and went forward for final training in 'the Hawaiian Islands in April of 19444. When combat ready, in October of that year, VF-3 headed for the uliising Sun Country aboard the U.S.S. YORKTOWN. This tour of duty resulted in lengthy operations against the Philippines, Formosa, French Indo-China, the China Coast, Okinawa and Tokyo. An enviable combat record was established throughout these actions and included the destruction of almost one hundred enemy aircraft in the air as well as the destruction and damage of countless numbers of land and sea targets. VF -3 was decommissioned upon return to the United States in 1945, only to be recommissioned shortly thereafter. While the Squadron is now equipped with one of the Navy's newest and finest aircraft, the F9F 4'PANTHER jet, it has long been acquainted with the Grumman fighters, of which the F9F, F8F, F6F, and F4F are only the more -recent ones. The squadron, now commanded by Commander George C. Simmons, Jr., USN, enjoys the distinction of being one of the3Navy's first squadrons to be equipped with the speedy and efficient jet. It is the first jet Squadron in the Atlantic Fleet to be assigned to a forward area as an integral squadron of a carrier air group. I,

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AIR GRGUP THREE THE entire ship Works hand-in-glovewith the CAG QCOMMANDER AIR GROUPJ headed by CDR. W. F. Madden of Cleveland, Ohio. CAG and his staff provide overall administrative and tactical coordination of the squadrons em- barked in order to do the job in the most effi- cient manner. CDR. Madden, Commander Air Group 3 STAFF cvs 3

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