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Welcome to the VMF/VMF(aw)/VMFA-115 Reunion Association Homepage
******************** 2012 takes us back to the beginning....
Make your plans to join us in Santa Barbara as we revisit the birthplace of VMFA-115. Our October date will be announced shortly. ********************
Another important date this year takes place in May.
This year the Marines celebrate the 100th anniversary of their own
first taste of flight in May 22, 1912, less then 10 years after
Orville and Wilbur Wright’s historic first flight from Kitty Hawk.
Almost to the day, only 30 years after the birth of Marine Corps
aviation in 1912, Cunningham Field — MCAS Cherry Point — was
formally commissioned on May 20, 1942, and named in honor of the
Marine’s first aviator, Alfred A. Cunningham. ******************** 2011 Reunion at Cherry Point
Touring the VMAT-203 Hangar, upclose with the Harriers
Our group by the F-4 at Miller's Landing, MCAS, Cherry Point
And at the banquet the following night
And for those who picked up a copy of the air station newspaper, The Windsock, how appropriate to see this item highlighting the VMF-115 Panther jets of yesteryear.
And a little keepsake to mark the occasion (thanks to Jim Brady).
******************** A freebie you might want to download and hold on to. The book "A History of Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 115" is now online as a PDF file. The book covers the squadron's activities from its commissioning in 1943 through the end of 1986. Cover-to-cover there are 97 pages, so be patient with the download. Here is the link: A History of Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 115 ******************** ********************
"One Fight, One Team, One Family, One Fifteen" Click here for a story on the homecoming in March 2012. Click here for a story on the squadron's deployment in August 2011. Click Here to Read About The Silver Eagles 2009-2010.
******************** Check out our new Challenge Coin!
If you would like to have one, send a $10.00 donation (along with $2.50 postage) to the Association and we'll send it right out. Please include you name, address, phone number and e-mail along with the years you served with the squadron and your MOS. Make checks ($12.50) payable to VMFA-115 Reunion Association. Send it to: VMFA-115 Reunion Association c/o Jim Brady 1314 Somerset Road Severn, MD 21144-1943 The Association appreciates your support and the coin is truly one-of-a-kind that you'll be proud to own. ******************** This photo is posted at a Marine Phantom site. Is it fact or fiction?
In 1975 the squadron was stationed at Iwakuni. According to the history book they were in Cubi Point for carrier-landing qualifications on the Enterprise for two days in March (12th and 13th). According to former CO Hank Ivy, the last mission flown in Viet Nam was on 27 February 1973, a 4-plane flight around noon near the DMZ. The following month the Silver Eagles were carrying out combat operations in support of the Cambodian government, this action continued until mid August, 1973 from the Rose Garden. So, did anyone witness or hear about the '75 action?? Drop me an e-mail...I'll post your replies here. Thanks.
A couple of responses: Tim Asher writes, "Fiction. We were in the Philippines." Josh Smith's reply,
"I saw your post on the Silver Eagle website
about the action in '75. My dad Sgt. Mark Smith was there in
'75, but unfortunately he passed away in '03. So I can't ask
him. But, in his Silver Eagles book from '74 - '75 it doesn't
mention any combat action from aboard the U.S.S. Enterprise.
There are a few pages of photos from the boat det and the jets
do not have any ordnance loaded. They would if they were on
combat missions of course. Too bad I can't just ask him about
this stuff anymore. Here is a
photo attached. Take care."
And from Mike Schofield, We were in fact in the Philippines (Cubi Point) at that time, staying at the wonderful 500 man camp up on Monkey Mountain with out hosts the 3rd MAU. Yeah right, they hated us “Chugga boot rats”. Little did they know we were working 18 hr shifts due to a structural problem in the tail involving the horizontal stabilizer. We did in fact have a Detachment aboard the Enterprise, as I believe that is Sgt Poe, 2nd row, 1st on the left. During that time, WE had several Detachments out; as it was the norm, “For the need of the Corps” Also in port was the Hancock, and Kitty Hawk. The Hawk left first, Leaving the two remaining. It was during this time that an A-6 from the Enterprise; while in port was conducting night mission landings on the field during the night shift. We were manned on the flight line at the very end of the Point. I believe it was called Dungaree Beach. During those night hops, the A-6 lost power (P-1/P-2 Hyd), both pilots ejected on approach, and crashed into the ordinance/flight support shack killing four Silver Eagles. Two were asleep in their dress greens, waiting for the Freedom bird the next morning. The Enterprise left very shortly following that incident, leaving the Hancock. It was during this time that a Detachment of 115 joined the Enterprise, and I do not think it was for carrier quals, as all were shooting for the Centurion award which is in excess of 100 traps. You could not have done that in a couple of days; unless you were already qualified but just short of that milestone. It was my understanding that we were involved in several operations, to include Koh-Tang Island. It was also my understanding that we were submitted for a PUC. I never saw that one. My purpose of writing this is to help jog someone else’s memory, and endeavor to put this to rest. There was also a SSGT Vern present from the sheet metal shop at the time of the A-6 crash. He was in the head between the two buildings, Sheet metal shop and OP’s, when a piece of the aircraft came to rest in front of the stall he was occupying. Maybe that will help somebody’s memory. SSGT Hooper was in charge of the Metal Shop, and Capt Pickering was fabrication branch OIC. As I clear my head more, I will update this. The History books contain opinions sometimes, and not facts. I also understand that there was an actual “Cruise book” for the Enterprise detachment. I’ll work on that, I have very few mementos left from those days. The picture depicts an F-4B, and that would be accurate. Respectively, and yes 38 years later, still in the business, Thank God. Michael Schofield NDI Lab / Level III Fleet Readiness Center S.E. Solomons Naval Air Station Patuxent River, MD. 410-326-2000 x2128 Anthony E. Millard seconds that emotion... I just want to confirm what Mike Schofield stated, I was there in 1975 and it happen just as he said. I was L/Cpl Millard part of S-1 ( Admin.) I was with VMFA 115 from Sept. 1974 – Oct 1975. Email address is amillard001@yahoo.com.
Carl Bailey's observation...
I can’t speak of sorties in Saigon in April of 1975 but I was at DaNang on a turnaround crew comprised of Technical representatives and otherwise of all squadrons stationed at Nam Phong – AKA The Rose Garden. Some of the birds returning from sorties up north would swoop in for armament reload, fuel or maintenance. Armament and fuel was performed on hotpad and Charlie’s incoming rockets at these times would raise hair in places I would never have thought of. I was there of the date Col Ivy spoke of and it was get your gear and get on the plane now, we’re out of here! No one slept well the night before. Me and a guy named Freddy Futrell, a Cajun from LA. drew fire watch, it was so quiet that night, we kept expecting zappers to come out of the wood work and or a big rocket attack, after all there was no reason to save them. As the sun finally came up the shit hit the fan! “Rockets Rockets Rockets, Da Nang is under attack”!!! Puff the Magic Dragon really put on a show too, its was still just dark enough to see the tracers. To my knowledge no one on the base was injured. And so it was home to the Rose Garden we went. While our sorties were indeed concentrated in Cambodia there was always talk from reliable sources that some of the sorties were going elsewhere, I can only assume it was Viet Nam. With that said, I don’t doubt one bit the old wooden nickel was lending a hand in support of the pull out in Saigon.
Best Regards! Carl Bailey
A former Missile Tech and Bomb Humper with VMA-214, VMFA-115, VMA-311, VMA-324
Speaking of Ordnance, Jerry Hillyer sent this patch. He thinks it may originated in Iwakuni before the squadron rotated back to Chu Lai in 1967.
Here now is the exclusive story of how the patch came into being courtesy of Lester Kushner who was in Avionics/Fire Control in 1966-67. I saw the comment about the origin of this patch, and some thought it was first created in Iwakuni. To my recollection we did this in June 1967 at Chu Lai. I believe Lance Corporal Steven Staas was the primary designer with my assistance. The printing was mine, and some of the design is a collaboration. We had drawings, but to my recollection it was not a patch while I was there. The patch must have come later. None the less here is a copy of the original rendering as we designed it. I can bring it to the next reunion.
Les Kushner We clearly had too much tome on our hands. Staas did a comic book based on Captain Israel. We clearly needed distractions. If you could blow up the names on the picture, every one was given a Jewish sounding name. I think Hymie Hollstein and I were the only Jews in that hooch as far I remember. This picture is from Da Nang, but it was replicated in Chu Lai. Please feel free to share this with every one. Les ******************** ******************** List of Reunion Attendees, 2003 - Present ******************** If you have not been able to attend a reunion we would still like to have your name on our online roster. E-mail me at vanmac@bellsouth.net and I will add your name to our New Additions Roster. Thanks for your interest in the 115 Reunion Association. Van McCarty, Administrator. ********************
Santa Barbara, 1944. Joe Foss is standing in front of the down prop. ********************
Here's an interesting fact about the above insignia from Conrad A. "Al" Jorgenson, Colonel, USMC, Retired:
"Thanks for the coin. I thought you might be
interested in the origin of the Silver Eagle design. I was the
S-2 of VMF (aw)115 during the first three years of the F4D
period (1957-1959). Hap Langstaff was skipper (after Flickinger
crashed the first Ford to be delivered and Smoke Spanjer was
sent to HQMC. Hap decided we needed a new logo and asked that
squadron members submit ideas. My NCOIC , TSGT N. O. Hall
submitted the winning design. Only he had the diagonal lines
going from top right to bottom left. Someone pointed out that
in old heraldry that meant the owner was a bastard. TSGT Hall
changed the stripes and came up with essentially what you have
now."
More on the Skyray era is provided in these photos courtesy of Sheila McCallum, the daughter of the late Marine pilot Joseph O. Lynch. Here are the Able Eagles in 1956 at Mojave, California.
Susan's info on this picture: “Lt. Col. John S Flickinger and Maj Joseph O. Lynch talking over check out list before Maj Lynch’s 1st hop in R4D-1 #134756 with FIP program aboard NAS Pax River MD” and the date was 2/27/56. Col Flickinger was killed flying this airplane at MCAS El Toro while on approach 5/8/56, he had a flame out.
Here is the newspaper account of Major Lynch's "dead stick" landing which is mentioned on page 26 of the squadron history book. The date of the incident was July 18, 1956.
******************** 2010 Reunion, Memphis, Tennessee Special thanks to our planners Jim Brady and Lisa Hazeltine for such a fun filled three days. We debuted the new reunion banner...
We ate Bar-B-Q...
We saw Elvis...
We ate some more Bar-B-Q...
We got to hang with old friends from K-3...
We met new friends from Da Nang and The Rose Garden and a Silver Eagle from the 80's who helped take the Hornets on their first West Pac tour...
We were entertained...
And laughed with one another...
And were proud to carry on the Association's mission...
Sorry you missed us. We'll be doing it again in 2011 at Cherry Point. Keep in touch and let us know how the Association can better serve you. ******************** 2008 Reunion, Arlington, Virginia
Trip to National Museum of the Marine Corps in Quantico. Front l-r: McCarty, Sypkens, Monihan, Yahner. Back l-r: Wallestad, Beye, Sheffe, Brady. Not pictured Gill and Reader.
Our visit to the Holocaust Memorial Museum included a private Luncheon and a Guest Speaker for our group.
Here's the crew in the Ready Room, that's John Gibson up front in the green shirt.
Following dinner at the DoubleTree, here the Baker's Dozen for 2008. Front l-r: Wallestad, Brady, Alton, Gill Back l-r: Sypkens, Gibson, Yahner, McCarty, Sheffe, Monihan, Reader, Horne, Beye ******************** 2007 Reunion, San Diego, California
WWII l-r: Brummell, Hodson, Alton, Sypkens
Korea l-r: Rogozinski, Uhl, Reader, Gilbert, (Brummell, WWII), Zaccagnino, Gill, Blais
Vietnam and Beyond l-r, front row: Wallestad, Street, Gollihur, Horne back row:Chouinard, Redmon, Takahashi, Ruud, Cannon, Kittrell, ______, ______, Hagen, Teague (above photos are courtesy of Emily Teague) (If anyone has notes and/or pictures you would like to share, please send them to me. We'd like to know a little bit about who was there and a few highlights of the September reunion. Thanks.) ********************
2006 Reunion, Laconia, New Hampshire 2006 Reunion Attendees
Click here for Proclamation from Governor
The Pride and Joy of the Reunion Association. Our WWII vets in attendance. They are from left-to-right: Don Sypkens, Dottie Alton, Andrew Moynihan, Ed Davis (also a WWII Marine, friend of Moynihan) Bill Hodson and Ken Goode. (photo: Jim Brady)
Part of the group on tour–from left to right: John Moynihan, Nate Hazeltine, John Kennedy, Jim Gill, Lisa Chouinard, John Chouinard, Jim Brady (on plane), Joyce Bankester, Patty McDaniels, Carol Ann Egy (climbing on plane) Ken Uhl, Dorothy Hodson, John Reader, Bill Hodson, George Martina, Lisa Hazeltine, Andy Moynihan, Dottie Alton, Don Sypkens, Roy Alton and Ed Malin. (photo: Jim Brady) A Special Thanks to John Gibson: Lisa sends out a special "thank you" to John for bringing his wonderful, large display of airplanes that he has assembled. Everyone agreed the display was a fantastic addition to the hospitality room. We appreciate you!
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The 2005 Reunion is now in the history books. We all had a wonderful time renewing old acquaintances, sampling that famous gulf coast cuisine, and spending time at the National Museum Of Naval Aviation located on board N.A.S. Pensacola. Look for a recap of activities in the Fall 2005 Newsletter. Click here for a list of the faithful Attendees. A special thanks to all the family members and friends who accompanied their Marines to our reunion.
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Here is a list of Attendees of the 2004 Reunion which was held in Quantico, VA (Dumfries) in August. In addition to seeing old friends and meeting new ones, our itinerary included visits to all the war memorials in Washington, D.C., a trip to the new air and space museum (The Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center) and a spectacular Sunset Parade at the famous 8th & I Marine Barracks. We especially enjoyed the company of the 59-61 Group which chose to be a part of this year's reunion. Details of all the reunion activities are contained in the Fall 2004 Newsletter. Thanks to our Chairman, Lynn Hagen, for the time and effort in putting the newsletter together for us to enjoy.
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Here is a list of Attendees of the 2003 Reunion which was held at Beaufort, SC in July. The reunion was held in conjunction with the squadron's 60th anniversary. The squadron personnel simply overwhelmed us with their open arms and hospitality. Marines spanning the entire 60 year history were in attendance--from the F4F's of Guadalcanal to the F18A's of Operation Iraqi Freedom and all those other fantastic flying machines in between.
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Click here for Fall 2006 Newsletter Click here for Spring 2006 Newsletter Click here for Fall 2005 Newsletter Click here for Spring 2005 Newsletter Click here for Fall 2004 Newsletter Click here for July 2004 Newsletter Click here for May-June 2004 Newsletter Click here for Spring 2004 Newsletter ********************
The military.com web site has a VMFA-115 unit page which I also recommend. It only takes a few minutes to register, and it contains a lot of names and useful information. Give it a click and see for yourself. ******************************************** PAGES FROM THE PAST
The above photo was taken on December 18, 2000. Caption: "Six generations of Silver Eagles commanding officers were present for the VMFA-115 change of command." (This would have been Lt. Col. Lewis relieving Lt. Col. Walsh). Names I have so far (left-to-right): Lewis, Levesque, ????, Holt, Chisum, Walsh. Any help with the unidentified CO would be greatly appreciated. Thanks. vanmac@bellsouth.net Footnote to above picture: Lt. Col. Tim Holt died on May 29, 2008 after a long battle with cancer. He was CO of VMFA-115 from 1 June 90 - 14 August 92. He lived in Beaufort, SC. ********************
ordnance men standing immediately behind sign: (l) ????? (r) Richard M. "Charlie" Brown personnel in line behind them: (left to right) Andy Riggle; Major C. W. Heinzerling, Jr., Maint. Officer; Capt. John French, Pilot; Sgt. Maj. W. F. Sears; J. L. "Jimmye" Jones; Robert C. Greenlee; Lt. Les Amick, RIO; Lt. John Fogg, Pilot & O.I.C. Ordnance Shop; Walley Gordon on top of Phantom: J. E. Labor photo taken ????, ??, 1970 photo and names compliments of Dick Brown who has a journal of his return visit to Chu Lai, along with pictures, posted at www.homestead.com/firstmaw under "Chu Lai, Now & Then." ******************** (Dave Horne provided this account of VMFA-115 being redeployed to Da Nang in 1972. It has more details than you'll find in the squadron's history book.) VMFA 115 Deployment 1972 26 March 1972 --- In the latter part of March 1972 the North Vietnamese commenced an overt invasion of South Vietnam. On 5 April 1972, the 1st MAW received a warning order from FMFPAC to be prepared to deploy two squadrons to RVN. The decision was made to use the F-4 squadrons of VMFA-115 and VMFA-232 from MAG-15. On the morning of 6 April the 1st MAW received word that JCS had issued an execute order for the deployment of the two tactical squadrons to RVN. Immediate action was taken to stage the two squadrons to NAS Cubi Point to await the execute order from COMSEVENTHFLT. At noon, the first elements of the two squadrons were airborne on their way to NAS Cubi Point. At 1744 on 6 April the execute order was received from COMSEVENTHFLT and was immediately passed to NAS Cubi Point. The lead element of VMFA-115 arriving just minutes later. This operation to rapidly deploy the two squadrons into Vietnam was marred by the loss of an F-4 on departure from NAF Naha enroute to NAS Cubi Point. Both crew members were lost in the accident. The total time required for the deployment of MAG-15 (Fwd), with
two F-4 squadrons (VMFA-115, w/12 F-4B aircraft and VMFA-232, w/15
F-4J aircraft), along with support elements from H&MS-15 and
MABS-15, was just 2 days. The last increment of follow-on cargo to
the initial lift arrived on the fourth day. The total lift of MAG-15
(Fwd), including supporting elements, totaled 984 Marines, 2,099,702
lbs of cargo (187,020 cubic feet) amd was provided by the Pacific
Command Transportation Management Agency (PATMA), the Military
Airlift Command (MAC), and Marine KC-130F (VMGR-152) assets. After
COMUSMACV imposed a two day stand down for air crew orientation, the
first combat sorties were flown on 9 April. The command element of
MAG-15 deployed to RVN with the squadrons was designated as MAG-15
(Fwd). These squadrons would move to Nam Phong, Thailand during the summer of 1972. <<<+>>> (Dale Martin submits this information on Mike Koehnen. Mike was responsible for setting up the website for marines who served at the "Rose Garden". We have been fortunate to have some Rose Garden marines attend our reunions. You can find their website at www.namphong.com.) Michael D. Koehnen, 53, of Jamestown, ND passed away on Friday, September 23, 2005 at MeritCare Hospital in Fargo, North Dakota. Michael was born March 13, 1952, in Jamestown, the son of Aloyis and Jeanette (Balken) Koehnen. He grew up in Jamestown and attended Saint John’s Academy and Jamestown High School. He married Sharon Lien of Jamestown on June 21, 1973. A Vietnam Veteran; Michael proudly and honorably served in the United States Marine Corps from 1970 to 1974. He later attended Jamestown College. Michael then served with the Jamestown Fire Department for 18 years, and became City Fire Marshall. Michael was working for the United States Postal Service at the time of his passing. Michael was a Life Member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars. Michael made many good friends through his mastery of computers, technology, and the Internet. Michael is survived by his wife Sharon (Lien) Koehnen of Jamestown, ND, father Aloyis Koehnen of Peoria, AZ, sister Vicki Novak of Durango, CO, sister Nancy Mosley of Pembroke GA, brother Richard of Chula Vista, CA, sister Andrea Carper of Pueblo, CO, and hundreds of heartbroken Marine Veterans. He was preceded by his mother Jeanette (Balken) Koehnen. 230 Years of U.S. Marines are calling out "Welcome Home.” We will sorely miss you Brother. Rest in Peace.
<<<+>>> Association Member R.J. Renock has set up a "Related Homepage" at military-dot-com's VMFA-115 Unit Page. He also posted pictures from Chu Lai taken during his 68-69 tour. Check it out: http://unitpages.military.com/unitpages/unit.do?id=765203 <<<+>>> And Don Franklin contributes this link for the Skyray fans...Try this site for F4D-Skyray information and image. http://www.vectorsite.net/avskyray.html <<<+>>>
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