Coral Sea (CV 43) - Naval Cruise Book

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Smith, RJ. Smith, R.K. Stalev, M.E. Sraton, D.B. Steere, M, Stover, Suarez, P. Sykes, J.D. Tabarez, Thomas, W.P. Thornton, S.A Toro, DJ. Tucker, T.C. Valenzuela, O. Vega, F.F. Virgil, R.A. Walker, R.S. Walker, R.L. Wallace, J. Ward, P. Waters, B.A. White, M. Williams, CH Williams, O. Wilson, M.R. Wertz, MJ. Wiseman, L.L Younce, D. Young, R.C. Younger, T.

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Pumphurey, Ramus, AJ- Ravens, B.P. Reich, T. Rembacki, K. Ribaudo, H.L. Richmond, T.P Roeal, R. Rudd, R.T. Schanda, j. Schear, S.A. Scholl, T.M. Schrader, E. Schroeder, D.V. Schulzbehrend, W. Scott, E. Scott, R.E. Shreve, T. Sickelton, j.F. Simmons, CR Simpson, D.E Sitler,j.R. Smith, A.M. Smith, B.

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VM -531 n Braun, G. Renier, R. MARINE FIGHTER ATTACK SQUADRON 531 With the world at war in 1942, the first Marine Night Fighter Squadron, VMFCND 531 formed at Cherry Point and, flying the PV-2 Vega, left for the Pacific Theater. The squadron served with distinction until 1944 when it returned to Cherry Point, and was subsequently assigned to Eagle Mountain Lake, Texas. The Vega was replaced by the Grumman F7F. When the Korean conflict erupted, VMFCNJ 531 was ready and went into action to help clear the skies of enemy MIG's. Flying the FSD Skynight, the squadron scored the first night kill by a jet aircraft. With the end of the Korean War, the squadron was reassigned to MCAS Cherry Point and, in 1955, was equipped with the F4D Skyray, an allweather jet interceptor, and later became the first east coast Marine Squadron to transition to the F-4B Phantom II, in 1962. The squadron served a NORAD air defense commitment at NAS Key West during the Cuban Missile Crisis in 1963. Subsequently, the squadron deployed to the Far East with the First Marine Aircraft Wing. After a trans-Pacific flight to Atsugi, japan, the next few months were devoted to increasing preparedness for possible Vietnam deployment. 10 April 1965 found the Grey Ghosts deployed to DaNang, the first Marine Corps fixed wing squadron to see combat since Korea. ' Returning from the War Zone, the squadron was reformed at Cherry Point to train combat crews for duty in Vietnam Injune of 1968, VMFA-531 was transferred to MCAS El Toro where is was to remain until unit deployment to NAS Oceana toijoin the USS FORRESTALfAttack Carrier Air Wing 17 in May of 1972. During VMFA-531's carrier based deployment to the Mediterranean, the squadron distingished itself among U.S. and Allied Forces operating in the theater. In the spring of 1975, the squadron was selected to become the second Marine Corps F-14 squadron. Thereupon, the squadron was administratively transferred to MCAS Beaufort. When the Marine Corps F-14 program was cancelled, the squadron was transferred to MCAS El Toro, refitted with F-4CN J aircraft and resumed its vital role in the defense establishment VMFA-1.. . . .. . . .. .. ... 53 maintained its tactical proficiency with an aggressive training program highlighted by participation in College Dart, Red Flag, and CAX operations and readiness evaluations of every variety As testimony to its safe and effective o eration in ' P such exercises, the squadron received the Robert M. HANSON Award as the outstanding Marine Fighter Squadron Uune 1977 june 19785 and CNO Safety Award for 1978. In December 1978, the squadron was stablized for assignment to CVW-14 and deployment aboard the USS CORAL SEA.