Leyte (CV 32) - Naval Cruise Book

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VF-33 SECOND GROUP Home is the hunter Smile! Sm ile! Smile!

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ATTACK SQUADRON THIRTY-FIVE LCDR. Ralph M. Bagwell, q BOMBING Squadron THREE, now known as Attack Squadron Thirty-Five, is one of the oldest carrier squadrons in the fleet. While many of the early squadron records were lost when the carrier YORKTOWN was sunk at Midway, it is known that Bombing Three was aboard the SARA- TOGA in 1934 or 1935 and operated as part of that carrier's air group' until the '4Sara was A torf pedoed off Midway in January 1942. The squadron, long k-nown by its insignia of the leapinglblack panther, served with honor during World War Two aboard the carriers SARATOGA fCV-3J,,EN- TERPRISE QCV-6J, YORKTOWN QCV-51, ESSEX QCV-9j, the new OWN fCV-101, and the new LEXINGTON QCV-161. M gi' . The squadron was reformed in May 1946 with LT. H. N. MURPHY, USNR, Commanding. Flying SB2C's, Bombing Three engaged in air support training, and changed their formation flying 'from SIX to FOUR plane divisions under the guidance of LCDR. H. J. BADGER, USN, who relieved LT. MURPHY in October 1946. A I ' ' I In November 1948, after an extensivecruise aboard the U.S.S. KEARSARGE, the squadron ace quired AD's and a new skipper, LCDR. R. M. BAGWELL, USN. ' ' 1 In February 1950, the squadron having been.Attack Squadron THREE ABLE and THIRTY-FOUR, was designated Attack Squadron THIRTY-FIVE. In April of 1950, VA-35 boarded the U.S.S. LEYTE for a Mediterranean cruise, which terminated when the ship and the air group were called upon to 'oin TASK FORCE 77 supporting the United Nations forces in Korean waters. The squadron up- 1 held its honor in combatting the aggressive Communistic foe. In December 1950, LCDR. J. G., OSBORN, USN, was designated Commanding Oilicer when LCDR. BAGWELL was taken prisoner after a crash landing in enemy held territory.