VA-94 (U.S. Navy)

VA-94 was an Attack Squadron of the U.S. Navy. It was established as Bombing Squadron VB-99 on 1 July 1943, redesignated as VB-20 on 15 October 1943, and as VA-9A on 15 November 1946. It was finally redesignated as VA-94 on 12 August 1948. The squadron was disestablished on 30 November 1949. Its nickname was Bombing Twenty's Tough Kitty from 1943 to 1946.[1]

Attack Squadron 94
VA-9A SB2C-5 Helldiver is lifted to the flight deck of USS Philippine Sea in preparation for launch in 1948
Active1 July 1943 - 30 November 1949
CountryUnited States
BranchUnited States Navy
TypeAttack
Nickname(s)Tough Kitties
EngagementsWorld War II
Aircraft flown
AttackSBD-5 Dauntless
SB2C Helldiver
AD-2 Skyraider

Operational history
  • July–October 1943: VB-99 was established as an experimental squadron for the new SB2C aircraft until its redesignation as VB-20 and assignment to Carrier Air Group 20 (CVG-20).
  • 31 August 1944: The squadron’s first combat action involved an attack on the Bonin Islands.
  • September 1944: The squadron participated in pre-invasion strikes on Palau Islands and provided air support for the invasion of Peleliu.
  • October 1944: Squadron aircraft participated in air strikes against Okinawa, Formosa and Luzon.
  • 24 October 1944: The squadron participated in the Battle for Leyte Gulf. VB-20’s SB2Cs flew sorties against a powerful Japanese surface force in the Sibuyan Sea. These attacks contributed to the sinking of the Japanese battleship Musashi, one of the two largest battleships in the world. The following squadron personnel were awarded the Navy Cross for this action: Ensigns M. E. Adams, R. J. Barnes, H. A. Koster, R. D. Olson, M. T. Ross, and D. D. J. Spanagel; Lieutenant (jg)s P. P. Cook, J. M. Glynn, R. D. Reed, J. P. Trytten, and J. E. Tsarnas; Lieutenants W. N. Christensen, J. S. Cooper, H. C. Hogan, R. E. Moore, R. D. Warner and R. S. Wilcox; and Commander R. E. Riera.
  • 25 October 1944: Squadron aircraft were part of the Fast Carrier Task Force that attacked the Japanese carrier force in the Battle off Cape Engaño. Four Japanese carriers were sunk during this engagement. The following squadron personnel were awarded the Navy Cross for their actions during the Battle off Cape Engaño: Ensigns H. C. Bearden, D. F. Hughes, C. Z. Stevens III, and W. P. Wright; Lieutenant (jg) W. C. Phtilla; Lieutenants W. W. Anderson, C. Burkhart and L. C. Flynt; and Commander R. E. Riera.
  • November 1944: Squadron aircraft flew strikes against a Japanese troop convoy in Ormoc Bay, Leyte and enemy positions on Luzon.
  • December 1944: The squadron participated in strikes flown against Luzon.
  • January 1945: Squadron aircraft flew strikes against Luzon, Formosa, Hong Kong, and Japanese convoys in South China Sea and Okinawa.
  • 12 January 1945: The following squadron personnel were awarded the Silver Star medal for action against a Japanese cruiser protecting a convoy of cargo ships: Lieutenants W. N. Christensen and W. W. Anderson and Lieutenant (jg) H. Rubner.[1]

Home port assignments

The squadron was assigned to these home ports, effective on the dates shown:[1]

* Temporary shore assignment while the squadron conducted training in preparation for combat deployment.

Aircraft Assignment

The squadron first received the following aircraft on the dates shown:[1]

See also

References

This article incorporates text from the public domain Dictionary of American Naval Aviation Squadrons.

  1. Grossnick, Roy A. (1995). "VA-94" (pdf). Dictionary of American Naval Aviation Squadrons. Naval Historical Center. 1. Washington, DC: Department of the Navy. p. 155.

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