This month marks the forty-eighth anniversary of Naval Aviation's first MiG kills of the Vietnam War. Enjoy this selection of related items and images from our collection relating to this subject.
Aircrews from Fighter Squadron (VF) 21 debrief in a ready room on board the carrier Midway (CVA 41) after scoring naval aviation's first MiG kills of the Vietnam War on June 17, 1965. Standing left to right are Lieutenant Dave Batson, Commander Louis Page, Lieutenant Commander Rob Doremus, and Lieutenant J.C. Smith.
R.G. Smith's "Tag Team Match" depicting Lieutenant (junior grade) Charles W. Hartman and Lieutenant Clinton Johnson of Attack Squadron (VA) 25 off the carrier Midway (CVA 41) shooting down a MiG-17 jet fighter using the guns on their propeller-driven A-1H Skyraiders. The action occurred over North Vietnam on June 20, 1965.
Attack Squadron (VA) 25 coffee mug that belonged to Lieutenant (junior grade) Charles W. Hartman during his time in the squadron. This period included air-to-air combat on June 20, 1965, during which he was involved in shooting down a MiG-17 jet fighter over North Vietnam while flying a propeller-driven A-1 Skyraider.
Between May 1, 1967 and August 1, 1968, aircraft flying from the carrier Bon Homme Richard (CVA 31) were credited with shooting down 12 North Vietnamese MiG fighters. These kills prompted the ship to fly this "MiG Killer" flag while underway.
“Showtime 100,” an F-4J Phantom II aircraft of Fighter Squadron (VF) 96 off the carrier Constellation (CVA 64), pictured in flight armed with missiles. On May 10, 1972, pilot Lieutenant Randy Cunningham and Radar Intercept Officer (RIO) Lieutenant (junior grade) William Driscoll flew this airplane when they shot down three North Vietnamese MiG-17 fighters, which combined with two previous kills made them the first aces of the Vietnam War.